A crosslinked silicone coating adjusted by an additive with promising antifouling and ice nucleation inhibition performance

Abstract

The presence of ice accumulation and biofouling on ship surfaces causes cost and safety issues in the context of Arctic navigation, however, there has been little research into coatings tailored for use in frigid environments. In this study, a silicon-based coating featuring outstanding antifouling and anti-icing properties was designed by incorporating the BYK-331 additive, which marks the pioneering utilization of BYK-331 for the regulation of coating surface properties. The additive exists on the irregular texture of the surface, to form additive layers, which effectively inhibit the adhesion of diatoms, mussels, pseudobarnacles, and liquid contaminants, leading to a negligible impact on the environment. Furthermore, the coating demonstrates an impressive ability to delay surface icing even at temperatures as low as −20 °C, which is achieved by the reducyion of the nucleation sites of ice by the fusion of the additive and the surface water droplets. Consequently, this innovative approach shows significant potential for advancing the development of antifouling materials.