Using Conducting Polymers as Active Agents for Marine Antifouling Paints

Alessandra Fiorini Baldissera,Christine Bressy,André Margaillan,Claire Martin,Karine Leite de Miranda,Carlos Arthur Ferreira

doi:10.1590/1516-1439.261414

Alessandra Fiorini Baldissera, Christine Bressy + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-1439.261414

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Abstract

Antifouling coatings were prepared with paints containing polyaniline (PAni) and derivatives as active pigment, and evaluated by antifouling performance on metallic or polyvinyl chloride substrates. The paints, PAni and its derivatives were characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity and scanning electron microscopy. Coatings were also characterized by salt spray, leaching and erosion tests. Antifouling coatings’ performance was evaluated by immersion tests in a marine environment or in fresh water. Paints containing PAni-ES, PAni/DBSA and SPAN, and a co-biocide PyZn, showed antifouling performance similar to a commercial antifouling paint.

Highlights

When at sea for any length of time, ships’ hulls are subject to attack by fouling organisms, such as barnacles, mussels and algae, resulting in a significant reduction in operating efficiency, with a consequent increase in costs owing to the increase in fuel consumption
The smaller the size of the acid chain — diffusing into the conducting polymer chain — more effective the doping process, and this may explain the conductivity values presented by PAni-ES compared with PAni/dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA)
The resin reticulation agent, based on polyamidoamine, seems to undope the PAni owing to its basic character

Summary

Introduction

When at sea for any length of time, ships’ hulls are subject to attack by fouling organisms, such as barnacles, mussels and algae, resulting in a significant reduction in operating efficiency, with a consequent increase in costs owing to the increase in fuel consumption. An organism incrustation in the order of 10 μm may mean an increase of 0.3 to 1% in fuel consumption[1]. Among all the solutions proposed since early navigation history, it is universally recognized that prevention can be achieved by the use of marine coatings containing toxic molecules, named biocides[2]. Its widespread use has caused severe pollution in the marine ecosystem, and in January 2003, several countries banned the manufacture of antifouling paints using these active molecules, and from January 2008, banned its presence in surface coating vessels[2,6]. It is urgent to choose other antifouling additives that could be effective, but not harmful to the environment

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