Rheological and shipbuilding steel adhesion properties of antifouling AquaSun coating

Abstract

Rheological and mechanical comparative tests of the new AquaSun antifouling sol-gel coating coated on shipbuilding steel compared to a commercial silyl acrylate antifouling topcoat containing cuprous oxide and copper pyrithione show further evidence of the practical viability of this multifunctional coating for the protection of the immersed surfaces from biofouling. AquaSun is a less rigid or less viscous material than commercial topcoat, but more adherent to the steel substrate. The reason is linked to its lower viscosity and lower stiffness thanks to which it is able to adapt better to the steel surface through chemical bonds between the silanol groups in the organosilica sol and hydroxyl groups at the surface of steel. These results support further investigation of AquaSun as ecofriendly antifouling paint.

Comparative Analysis of AquaSun Sol-Gel Coating and Commercial Antifouling Paint in Protecting Shipbuilding Steel in Port Seawaters

“…[4] Finally, the new coating is a less rigid material when compared to state-of-the-art commercial AF topcoat, but more adherent to the steel substrate, due to its lower viscosity and lower stiffness thanks to which the glassy organosilica sol containing plentiful Si-OH groups is able to chemically bind to the Fe-OH groups at the steel surface. [10] The strongly cohesive thin film is ideally suited to coat and protect the outer steel surface not only from corrosion, [9] but also from biofouling. [10] To gain an insight on the practical viability of the new multifunctional (AF/FR) coating, we carried out the first real-life comparative investigation of the AquaSun performance in marine (harbor) waters, in comparison to a state-of-the-art commercial AF topcoat.…”

“…[10] The strongly cohesive thin film is ideally suited to coat and protect the outer steel surface not only from corrosion, [9] but also from biofouling. [10] To gain an insight on the practical viability of the new multifunctional (AF/FR) coating, we carried out the first real-life comparative investigation of the AquaSun performance in marine (harbor) waters, in comparison to a state-of-the-art commercial AF topcoat.…”

Antibacterial Properties of AquaSun Sol–Gel Coating

“…[ 5 ] In light of forthcoming practical applications, it is also remarkable that the AquaSun glassy coating is a less rigid material when compared to state‐of‐the‐art commercial AF topcoat, but highly adherent to the shipbuilding steel substrate, thanks to the formation of a strongly cohesive thin film. [ 6 ]…”

“…[5] In light of forthcoming practical applications, it is also remarkable that the AquaSun glassy coating is a less rigid material when compared to state-of-the-art commercial AF topcoat, but highly adherent to the shipbuilding steel substrate, thanks to the formation of a strongly cohesive thin film. [6] Biofouling is a complex phenomenon starting with bacteria colonizing the immersed surface to growth of a biofilm due to bacterial cell multiplication and extracellular polymeric substance synthesis using soluble organic substances in the aqueous environment. [7] In general, due to their ease of production, low cost, lack of toxicity, and high mechanical and chemical stability, ORMOSIL coatings have a large application potential in preventing biofouling even in outdoor environments.…”

Antibacterial Properties of AquaSun Sol-Gel Coating

“…3 In light of forthcoming practical applications, it is also remarkable that the AquaSun glassy coating is a less rigid material when compared to state-of-the-art commercial AF topcoat, but highly adherent to the shipbuilding steel substrate thanks formation of a strongly cohesive thin film. 4 AquaSun was developed with the aim to merge the solar-driven photocatalytic generation of powerful oxidizing species such as electron holes (h + ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) including H2O2 hydroxyl (OH•) and oxygen (•O2 -) radicals, 5 with the foul release properties of biocide-free ORMOSIL xerogels. 6 Biofouling is a complex phenomenon starting with bacteria colonizing the immersed surface to growth of a biofilm due to bacterial cell multiplication and extracellular polymeric substance synthesis using soluble organic substances in the aqueous environment.…”