Preparation And Performance Study Of Imitation Lotus Low Surface Energy Antifouling Coating

Marine fouling organisms caused serious problems on ships and offshore drilling platforms and other marine facilities. With the elimination of the traditional toxic materials, antifouling coatings and organic tin-based self-polishing antifouling coatings, the development of new environmentally friendly antifouling coatings is a priority. Lotus leaf surface has a special micro-and nano-structured and hydrophobic waxy substance, it gives the lotus leaf excellent superhydrophobic and anti-stain and self-cleaning properties, with have important reference for antifouling coatings. In this paper,lotus leaf surface has been used as a model, combined with low surface energy resin and imitation lotus leaf surface micro-structures, a new kind of antifouling coatings have been fabricated.In terms of low surface energy resin, fluorine resin have a great low surface energy, but its elastic modulus is relatively high and have a poor adhesion. Silicone resin has excellent elasticity performance. The epoxy resin have been modified by the two kinds of organic monomer, a new kind of modified resin have obtained, with excellent performance of low surface energy, elasticity and adhesion. By optimize the amount of resin of the three parts, the novel low surface energy resin obtained a contact angle of water to96°and its adhesion level is the best.In terms of surface micro-structure, use direct deposition method with micro-nano-filler to build surface microstructure. In order to improve the dispersibility of Nano-silica in the polymer and makes it hydrophobic, In this paper, the surface of nano-silica has been modified by a silane coupling agent KH550and hydroxyl fluorine resin. The effects of temperature and the dosage of modifier on the modification have been discussed. When the temperature is70～80℃,the amount of modifying agent is5.1%, the amount of the fluorine resin is4%, the activation rate of the modified nanoparticle beyond96%, the contact angle with water of the modified nanoparticle beyond150°.Combined the modified epoxy resin with modified nano-silica, A new kind of surface microstructure antifouling coatings which is similar to lotus leaf surface were prepared by direct deposition method with micro-nano particle filled. The effects of evaporation rate of the solvent system and the dosage of nano-powder on surface microstructure was analyzed.Find out a new kind of solvent system with the proportion of xylene, Butyl and Acetate is7:2:1. Comprehensive consider the conventional mechanical properties and the hydrophobic properties of the coating, the amount of modified resin and nano powders were optimized. When the proportion of modified resin, nano powder and micron powder is1:0.3:0.15,the coating has the best comprehensive performance. In this case the coating has a contact angle of137°, surface energy3.99mN·m-1, adhesion level1, impact strength of50Kg·cm, flexible property lmm, hardness is3H.