The influence of MWCNTs-OH on the properties of the fouling release coatings based on polydimethylsiloxane with the incorporation of phenylmethylsilicone oil

Abstract In order to control the leaching of phenylmethylsilicone oil (PSO) reasonably from the fouling release coating based on polydimethylsiloxane, the MWCNTs-OH/Fe 2 O 3 composite coatings was investigated, including the surface properties, the mechanical properties, especially the leaching performance of PSO and the antifouling performance of the coatings. When the content of MWCNTs-OH/Fe 2 O 3 is controlled at 1% of the pigment volume concentration, with the increase of the volume ratio of MWCNTs-OH, the mechanical properties and the surface roughness of the coating increase. The increase in the volume ratio of MWCNTs-OH causes the transformation of the leaching behavior of PSO from the molecular network diffusion to the channel diffusion, enhancing the leaching efficiency of PSO. Moreover, the improvement of the anti-biofilm adhesion performance is confirmed by increase the leaching efficiency of PSO. The panel tests of the antifouling coatings in Yellow sea in China also indicates that coatings had the excellent antifouling effect when the volume ratio of MWCNTs-OH is more than 50% in the mixed powders.