Silicone-Based Fouling-Release Coatings for Marine Antifouling

Abstract

Marine biofouling profoundly influences marine industries and activities. It slows the speed and increases the fuel consumption of ships, corrodes the offshore platforms and blocks the seawater pipelines. The most effective and economic antifouling approach is using coatings. Fouling release coatings (FRCs) with low surface free energy and high elasticity weakly adhere to marine organisms so they can be readily removed by the water shear force. FRCs have received increasing interest because they are biocide-free and hence eco-friendly. Yet, traditional silicone based FRCs have weak adhesion to substrate, low mechanical strength and low fouling resistance, limiting their applications. In recent years, many attempts have been made to improve their mechanical properties and fouling resistance. The review deals with the progress in construction of high-performance silicone based fouling release surfaces.