Antifouling properties of epoxy coatings

A recently published review discusses the various types of epoxy-based antifouling coatings as cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution to biofouling. The need for nontoxic antifouling coatings has encouraged material scientists to develop a new class of epoxy coatings. As a versatile thermosetting resin and well known for various coating applications, antifouling characteristics have been integrated into epoxies along with anticorrosion and adhesive functions. Accordingly, both micro- and macro-biofoulings have been successfully controlled by using epoxy-based antifouling coatings, and epoxy nanocomposites, silicon-grafted epoxy, epoxy-aided conductive polymer blends, and nanocomposites are important antifouling epoxy variants This newly published review discusses the various types of epoxy-based antifouling coatings. The ability of nanomaterials, siloxanes, and conducting polymers to induce antifouling activity into the epoxy and corresponding antifouling mechanisms is also covered. The review concludes with the enormous potential of antifouling epoxy coatings as cost-effective, environmentally sustainable solutions to biofouling in diverse industrial applications.
The study was published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 19, 2022.