Development of Environmental Friendly Coating for Prevention of Biofouling and Barnacle on Steel Surface in Marine Applications

This research work has concerned the development of novel and more environmental friendly coatings for applying onto the metal surfaces of equipment used in marine related applications to prevent biofouling and deposition of barnacle. In this project, two different types of coating systems, which are (1) the paint containing polymeric biocide, with and without the presence of mixed metal oxides photocatalysts; and (2) the biocide- free coating, comprised either hydrophobic polymers and/or SiO2, will be developed and explored. It was assumed that by using WO3 as an energy storage substance in the TiO2 based photocatalyst, catalytic activity of the metal oxides in the limited intensity of light can be expected. Moreover, by using the biocide in a form of polymeric molecules, chances for the biocides molecules to be leached and released to the environment will be suppressed. In this study, efficacy of the coating will be evaluated in the laboratory by determining photocatalytic activity and antibacterial activity of the chemicals. In addition, performance of the developed coating in the real environment will be carried out by the field test and benchmarked with the existing anti-fouling paints used in commercial. It was expected that novel anti-fouling coatings which is more environmental friendly and cost competitive will be developed and used as alternative coating in marine applications.