The major strategies for designing surfaces that prevent fouling due to proteins, bacteria, and marine organisms are reviewed. Biofouling is of great concern in numerous applications ranging from biosensors to biomedical implants and devices, and from food packaging to industrial and marine equipment. The two major approaches to combat surface fouling are based on either preventing biofoulants from attaching or degrading them. One of the key strategies for imparting adhesion resistance involves the functionalization of surfaces with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or oligo(ethylene glycol). Several alternatives to PEG-based coatings have also been designed over the past decade. While protein-resistant coatings may also resist bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation, in order to overcome the fouling-mediated risk of bacterial infection it is highly desirable to design coatings that are bactericidal. Traditional techniques involve the design of coatings that release biocidal agents, including antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), and silver, into the surrounding aqueous environment. However, the emergence of antibiotic- and silver-resistant pathogenic strains has necessitated the development of alternative strategies. Therefore, other techniques based on the use of polycations, enzymes, nanomaterials, and photoactive agents are being investigated. With regard to marine antifouling coatings, restrictions on the use of biocide-releasing coatings have made the generation of nontoxic antifouling surfaces more important. While considerable progress has been made in the design of antifouling coatings, ongoing research in this area should result in the development of even better antifouling materials in the future.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/adma.201001215

Antifouling coatings: recent developments in the design of surfaces that prevent fouling by proteins, bacteria, and marine organisms.

'Marine biofouling', the undesired growth of marine organisms such as microorganisms, barnacles and seaweeds on submerged surfaces, is a global problem for maritime industries, with both economic and environmental penalties. The primary strategy for combating marine fouling is to use biocide-containing paints, but environmental concerns and legislation are driving science and technology towards non-biocidal solutions based solely on physico-chemical and materials properties of coatings. Advances in nanotechnology and polymer science, and the development of novel surface designs 'bioinspired' by nature, are expected to have a significant impact on the development of a new generation of environmentally friendly marine coatings.

/pdf/trends-in-the-development-of-environmentally-friendly-3b0jcnki8q.pdf

Trends in the development of environmentally friendly fouling-resistant marine coatings

Fouling release coatings: a nontoxic alternative to biocidal antifouling coatings.

Marine structures such as platforms, jetties and ship hulls are subject to diverse and severe biofouling. Methods for inhibiting both organic and inorganic growth on wetted substrates are varied but most antifouling systems take the form of protective coatings. Biofouling can negatively affect the hydrodynamics of a hull by increasing the required propulsive power and the fuel consumption. This paper reviews the development of antifouling coatings for the prevention of marine biological fouling. As a result of the 2001 International Maritime Organization (IMO) ban on tributyltin (TBT), replacement antifouling coatings have to be environmentally acceptable as well as maintain a long life. Tin-free self-polishing copolymer (SPC) and foul release technologies are current applications but many alternatives have been suggested. Modern approaches to environmentally effective antifouling systems and their performance are highlighted.

/pdf/modern-approaches-to-marine-antifouling-coatings-3xqzjm2275.pdf

Modern approaches to marine antifouling coatings

Self-assembling polymers and nanostructured polymer thin films are being actively explored as advanced coatings for marine and biomedical applications This review highlights recent advances in the design and synthesis of polymers that can resist fouling by biomolecules, cells and organisms Current understanding of the mechanisms of anti-biofouling activity is also discussed

Advances in polymers for anti-biofouling surfaces

Antifouling technology—past, present and future steps towards efficient and environmentally friendly antifouling coatings

Advances in marine antifouling coatings and technologies

Reaction rate estimation of controlled-release antifouling paint binders: Rosin-based systems

Dissolution rate measurements of sea water soluble pigments for antifouling paints: ZnO

Marine microorganisms are capable of successfully colonizing toxic surfaces through the formation of biofilm structures. In this article, most of the literature reporting the presence of marine biofilms on chemically-active antifouling paints is briefly reviewed. Of special concern is the influence of the dense extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix on the release rate of the compounds involved in antifouling paint performance (i.e. active compounds and controlled-release binder molecules). A deeper understanding of these phenomena is of interest for both environmental legislators and paint formulators.

Diego Meseguer Yebra

Papers

Antifouling technology—past, present and future steps towards efficient and environmentally friendly antifouling coatings

Advances in marine antifouling coatings and technologies

Reaction rate estimation of controlled-release antifouling paint binders: Rosin-based systems

Dissolution rate measurements of sea water soluble pigments for antifouling paints: ZnO

Presence and effects of marine microbial biofilms on biocide-based antifouling paints