Superhydrophobic Silicone/TiO2–SiO2 Nanorod‐like Composites for Marine Fouling Release Coatings

Abstract

AbstractFor the first time, a superhydrophobic series of silicone/nanorod‐like TiO2–SiO2 core–shell composites was fabricated by solution casting for marine fouling release (FR) coatings. Hydrothermal technique was used to prepare single crystal TiO2 nanorods as a core structure in the diameter regime of 20 nm and preferentially grown in {101} direction. Hybrid nanorod‐like TiO2–SiO2 core–shell nanofillers were synthesized by sol–gel technique with silica shell thickness of 2–5 nm. The structure‐property relationship was investigated by dispersing various nanofiller concentrations in the silicone matrix. Surface non‐wettability properties were investigated using water contact angle (WCA), surface free energy (SFE), and atomic force microscopy. Coating′s photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and microorganisms was also investigated. Selected micro‐ and macro‐fouling strains were used for antifouling assessments in laboratory. The fabricated models were subjected to a rigorous field trial in natural seawater for 6 months in a tropical area. Well‐distributed nanorod‐like TiO2–SiO2 core–shell (0.5 wt.%) exhibited the preferable FR self‐cleaning with WCA of 154° and SFE of 10.45 mN/m.