Hydrophilic tyrosine-based phenolic resin with micro-ripples morphology for marine antifouling application

Since biofouling challenges negatively influence the marine and transportation industries, developing effective antifouling materials have attracted extensive concern. A tyrosine-based antifouling phenolic resin (TPP resin) was synthesized using tyrosine as a natural phenol source. TPP exhibited shell-like surface morphology with micro-ripples and excellent anti-adhesion properties against bacteria and diatom. The micro-ripples surface might be caused by the strong hydrogen bonding or ionic interaction among tyrosine units resulting in microphase separation during the curing process. Tyrosine content in TPP resin has a great influence on the surface properties, morphology and antifouling characteristics. The higher the tyrosine content, the higher is the surface hydrophilicity, the denser and more regular is the micro-ripples morphology, and the stronger is the antifouling performance. TPP-60 % exhibited the best antifouling performance. Combination of the surface hydrophilicity and regular micro-ripples surface morphology afford TPP excellent antifouling performance. TPP resins offer a broad prospect for developing phenolic resin in the antifouling field.