Self-Renewing Antifouling Coating Based on Integrated Offensive and Defense Strategies Inspired by Coral

Silane acrylate self-polishing antifouling coatings play a crucial role in environmentally friendly biological fouling prevention. However, they still face challenges related to static fouling conditions and limited service life. In this study, inspired by the dual antifouling mechanism of coral, mucus is “self-renewing” and actively releases antifouling substances. A surface self-renewing antifouling coating (MEIPT- x ) was prepared based on two hydrolyzable silane side chains that accelerate surface self-renewal, along with an eco-friendly antifouling agent, 5-chloro-2-benzothiazolinone (TL), grafted as a dangling group. This coating demonstrates a controllable hydrolysis rate that accelerates with an increasing content of hydrolyzable monomers. The synergistic effect of the “defense” and “offensive” of the MEIPT- x coating enables effective antibacterial (94.8% for marine bacteria), antidiatom (98.6% for Halamphora sp . and 99.8% for Nitzschia closterium ), and antimussel properties. In addition, the excellent antifouling performance of the MEIPT- x coating can be sustained for over 11 months under real marine conditions. Consequently, this integrated offensive and defensive strategy against biofouling may offer promising perspectives for applications in ship antifouling.