Natural Product Zanthoxylum bungeanum Based Multi‐Functionalized Self‐Polishing Interface for Sustainable Marine Antifouling

Abstract Construction of an anti‐biofouling coating on the surface has been proven to be an effective way to guarantee long‐last anti‐biofouling performance. However, amounts of heavy metal ions will be released, causing irreversible damage to the marine environment. In this work, a series of active components are extracted and isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Z. bungeanum), and their anti‐biofouling characteristic and non‐toxic to organisms are demonstrated with anti‐barnacle larvae experiments and anti‐algae tests. Furthermore, a novel resin contained with triclosan is prepared, and different self‐polishing coatings are obtained by combining the pulverized materials of the Z. bungeanum fruit/seeds/leaves with the resin. The surface morphology, mechanical properties and anti‐biofouling performance of the coatings are shown that incorporating the triclosan into self‐polishing acrylic resin can improve broad‐spectrum anti‐biofouling properties, the algae adhesion densities (Amphora sp. and Porphyridium sp.) on the resin are almost to zero. According to the results of surface wettability, water resistance and anti‐biofouling properties tests, it can be concluded that the coating with pulverized Z. bungeanum seeds (CWS) has a hydrophobic surface, it can continuously release antifoulant under seawater, exhibiting excellent anti‐biofouling performances. This work therefore suggests Z. bungeanum can be used as a potential agent for developing environmentally friendly antifouling coatings.