Biofouling Control Coatings Utilizing VOC-free Biodegradable Chitothane and Nanotubes Containing Non-toxic Natural Product Repellents

摘要

Control of biological fouling is a complex problem if non-toxic means are employed, as bioflims consist of a broad range of species and thus require a range of control strategies. Currently the standard for control of biofouling in the marine and aquaculture industries consists of the use of copper based biocides. A novel new approach combines the idea of ablative coatings in conjunction with encapsulated synthetic analogs of natural fouling-repellent compounds. We report the application of a polysaccharide-based coating that is crosslinked with a water soluble diisocyanate which will ablate on fouling and two novel compounds found to control a wide range of marine and fresh water fouling organisms.