Novel non-aqueous nanodispersions in controlled release self-polishing antifouling coatings

This paper presents the scientific characterization of the working mechanisms of a novel tin-free, self-polishing, antifouling paint technology jointly developed by Hempel A/S and Dai Nippon Toryo Co. Ltd. As in the TBT-SPCs, the polishing mechanism of the new binder system partly relies on the attainment of the adequate number of hydrophilic Na-acrylate monomers at the paint surface. In the wet paint, and in order to avoid undesired reactions during pigment dispersion, the reactive acid groups are encapsulated by the controlled-release, hydrophobic, acrylate chains, thus forming a nano-sized core-shell dispersion. In this paper, both laboratory data and full paint testing at sea sites are presented in order to demonstrate the excellent performance of this technology both at static and dynamic conditions.