Hydrogel-Anchored Fe-Based Amorphous Coatings with Integrated Antifouling and Anticorrosion Functionality

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Marine Engineering
• Corrosion Science

Background:

• Marine biofouling and corrosion pose significant challenges to underwater equipment.
• Fe-based amorphous coatings offer good corrosion resistance but lack antifouling capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a hydrogel-anchored amorphous (HAM) coating with enhanced antifouling and anticorrosion properties.
• To investigate the interfacial engineering strategies for improving coating adhesion and performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized interfacial engineering including micropatterning, surface hydroxylation, and a dopamine intermediate layer.
• Developed a hydrogel-anchored amorphous (HAM) coating.
• Conducted laboratory tests for antifouling and biocorrosion resistance.
• Performed a marine field test in the East China Sea.

Main Results:

• The HAM coating achieved 99.8% resistance to algae and 100% resistance to mussels.
• Demonstrated excellent biocorrosion resistance against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.
• Marine field tests showed no signs of corrosion or fouling after 1 month of immersion.

Conclusions:

• The HAM coating exhibits a 'killing-resisting-camouflaging trinity' for superior antifouling.
• The amorphous coating provides an excellent barrier against chloride ion diffusion and biocorrosion.
• Presents a novel methodology for designing effective marine protective coatings.