The commercially available antifouling self-polishing coatings for ships are toxic with copper and organic biocides while the commercially available fouling-release coatings have inherent hydrophobicity that reduces its efficiency when the ship is stagnant. This project aims to develop environmentally benign self-polishing nonfouling pseudo-zwitterionic polymer coatings, which are easy to synthesize at low cost, readily applicable over a large area and have a target lifetime of 3, 7 or even 12 years. The target application is bottom paint coating for ships. This is achieved through uniquely designed materials with appropriate hydrolysis rates. The composition and polymer architecture of the coating materials can be readily altered and controlled. The proposed self-polishing coatings in this project are made of nontoxic, nonfouling pseudo-zwitterionic polymers, which will maintain the zwitterionic functionality at the interface throughout the lifetime of the coating. In the optional phase, the coatings will be further studied by their phase behaviors and further improved for their long-term performance.
Benefit: The potential application is nonfouling paint for ships against biofouling. Paints whose lifetimes are desired between 3 years to 7 years can use this paint. Currently, environmentally benign paints whose lifetimes are desired between 3 years to 7 years are lacking. Importantly, these self-polishing coatings provide nonfouling even when the ship is not moving. After these polymers are synthesized, paint formations are developed and can be used directly on ships without any tie-coating. For commercialization, industrial additives such as thixotropy and UV stabilizers will be added to give necessary paint behaviors. The paint can be easily applicable to surfaces by spray or paint methods. These polymer coatings are nontoxic, low-cost, long-lasting and effective with self-polishing and nonfouling capabilities.
Keywords: paints, paints, self-polishing, Biofouling, ship bottom paints, Nonfouling, nontoxic, zwitterionic polymers, Environmental Friendly
