Approaches in designing non-toxic polymer surfaces to deter marine biofouling
Abstract
In the past years, research into surfaces that inhibit marine biofouling has focused on designing environmentally friendly materials due to current bans on toxic coatings. This Review focuses on recent progress in the development and fabrication of surfaces that have antifouling and/or foul release properties by looking at selected examples of materials. In addition, we also review the antifouling and/or fouling release properties of these surfaces based on using marine organisms. A summary comparison of materials performance against algal spore settlement is reported: the efficacy of surface amphiphilicity and nanoscale phase segregation is noteworthy.