Metal-Free, Low-Surface Energy, and Self-Healing Polyurethane Coating with an Excellent Antifouling Property

The prevention and control of water biofouling has always been the focus of antifouling research. Coatings containing metal ions can effectively inhibit biofouling. However, the application of this type of coating has been limited as a result of its toxicity, irreparability, and poor antifouling ability under static conditions. Here, we have synthesized a self-repairing polymer antifouling coating with hydrophobic and multiple self-repairing systems through structural design with polytetrahydrofuran (PTMEG), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), perfluorooctyl ethyl acrylate (TEAc-8), triclosan (TCS), and 3,3-dithiodipropionic acid as a raw material. The prepared coating can realize a self-repairing function at room temperature in both air and water, thereby prolonging the antifouling life of the coating. A large number of hydrogen bonds in the molecular structure enable the coating to have good adhesion to the substrate. At the same time, the lower surface energy (<20 mN/m) and higher hydrophobic angle (>110 degrees) of the coating determine the material's good fouling release ability. In addition, the lake antifouling experiments show that the coating has good static antifouling ability. The coatings prepared will provide an alternative strategy for designing self-healing marine antifouling coatings in practical applications.