Combining a bio-based polymer and a natural antifoulant into an eco-friendly antifouling coating

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers are promising binders and carriers for natural antifoulants. In the present study, an antifouling (AF) coating was developed by adding a non-toxic AF compound (butenolide) to a bio-based and biodegradable poly(lactic acid)-based polyurethane. Mass loss measurement showed that the polymer degraded in seawater at a rate of 0.013 mg cm⁻² day⁻¹. Measurements showed that butenolide was released from the coatings into seawater over a period of at least three months. Both the concentration of butenolide in the coatings and the ambient temperature determined the release rate of butenolide. The results further demonstrate that incorporating rosin into the coatings increase the self-renewal rate of the polymer and facilitated the long-term release of butenolide from the coating. The results show that poly(lactic acid)-based polyurethane is a suitable polymer for butenolide-based AF coatings.

Keywords:

• Eco-friendly antifouling coating
• butenolide
• release rate
• biodegradable polymer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by an NSFC grant (#41576140) and a grant (COMRRDA17SC01) from the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association and a grant from the Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) (SMSEGL20SC01) awarded to P.Y. Qian.