Marine Antifouling Coatings Development
Summary
Marine biofouling––the unwanted accumulation of organisms such as bacteria, algae and invertebrates on submerged surfaces––poses significant economic and environmental challenges. Historically, coatings releasing toxic compounds such as organotin and copper compounds dominated antifouling strategies, but their broad-spectrum toxicity provoked regulatory bans and mounting ecological concern. Contemporary research has shifted towards environmentally benign alternatives that balance efficacy, durability and scalability. Approaches now centre on polymer-based systems offering fouling resistance, fouling release or active fouling degradation. Biomimetic designs emulate natural antifouling surfaces, while stimuli-responsive and self-renewing coatings promise prolonged performance. Key priorities include minimising leachate toxicity, optimising surface chemistry and texture to deter early adhesion, and ensuring mechanical robustness under hydrodynamic stress. Advances in materials science and marine biology converge to deliver multifunctional coatings capable of reducing drag, lowering fuel consumption and mitigating invasive species spread, thereby supporting sustainable maritime operations worldwide.
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Marine Antifouling Coatings Development publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in marine antifouling coatings development across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biocide: A chemical agent incorporated into coatings to inhibit or kill fouling organisms, often subject to environmental regulation.
Fouling-release coating: A non-toxic surface designed to prevent strong adhesion, allowing foulants to be removed by hydrodynamic forces.
Hydrophobicity: The tendency of a surface to repel water, reducing the affinity of biofoulants for the coating.
Stimuli-responsive coating: A material that alters its properties (e.g. wettability or charge) in response to environmental triggers such as light, temperature or pH.
References
- Functional polymer materials for modern marine biofouling control. Progress in Polymer Science (2022).
- Mechanical Properties of Protective Coatings against Marine Fouling: A Review. Polymers (2021).
- Research Strategies to Develop Environmentally Friendly Marine Antifouling Coatings. Marine Drugs (2020).
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