Improving the properties of antifouling hybrid composites: The use of Halloysites as nano-containers in epoxy coatings

Marine biofouling is an age-old problem with a broad impact in many marine activities. The development of environmentally friendly and long-term marine antifouling coatings remains a huge challenge in the maritime industry and involves many factors: hydrophobicity, surface roughness, electrostatic interactions, and the use of anti-adhesive/biocide molecules. We developed a novel antifouling epoxy paint doped with Halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) as nano-containers. HNTs were loaded with two eco-sustainable antifouling molecules, sodium salicylate and N-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)maleimide, which can dramatically reduce bacterial attachment. The dispersion procedure of the nano-carriers in the paint was optimized so that an efficient antifouling effect is reached with the incorporation of a small amount of loaded HNTs. The use of 10 wt% of loaded HNTs in paint drastically enhanced material antifouling properties by preventing the attachment of Vibrio natriegens marine bacteria, which promises wide applications for the protection of ships' hulls.

Automated summary

Marine biofouling is a long-standing issue affecting various marine activities, and the development of marine antifouling coatings remains a challenge. A novel antifouling epoxy paint doped with Halloysite clay nanotubes loaded with eco-sustainable antifouling molecules has shown promising results in preventing bacterial attachment, enhancing material antifouling properties, and has potential wide applications in ship hull protection.