A durable and self-cleaning hydrogel micro-powder modified coating with improved utilization of Cu2+ for marine antifouling

Hydrogels possessing advantages such as low friction coefficient and high-water absorption are analogous to the mucous layer of the epidermis of large marine organisms, thereby garnering widespread attention in the field of marine antifouling. In this study, a durable antifouling coating is prepared by integrating the PVA/PAAm hydrogel micro-powder with the epoxy resin to solve the problems of poor adhesion between hydrogels and substrates after water absorption and low utilization rate of Cu2O antifouling agent. The results reveal that the coating with low hydrogel micro-powder content is difficult to form dense water absorption points arrays. Contrarily, when the content of hydrogel micro-powder is high, holes left upon extrusion of the hydrogels after absorbing water becomes detrimental to the coating. Moreover, micro-powder content of 10% antifouling coating possesses superior comprehensive performance. Its surface can form dense water absorption points arrays, and the coating has excellent self-cleaning performance and antifouling properties based on outstanding adhesive force with the substrates. Furthermore, mixing the Cu2O antifouling agent with the antifouling coating enhances the utilization rate of Cu2+ owing to the porous microstructure of the hydrogels. Therefore, this coating can provide engineering guidance for extensive applications of hydrogels in the marine antifouling field.

Automated summary

A durable antifouling coating was prepared by integrating the PVA/PAAm hydrogel micro-powder with epoxy resin to solve the problems of poor adhesion between hydrogels and substrates and low utilization rate of Cu2O antifouling agent. The coating with 10% hydrogel micro-powder content showed superior comprehensive performance and can provide engineering guidance.