A marine coating: Self-healing, stable release of Cu2+, anti-biofouling

We developed a marine coating consisting of Cu-MOF-74, multi-walled carbon nanotube containing carboxyl groups (MWCNT-COOH) and self-healing polymers, which simultaneously possesses self-healing and anti-biofouling properties. Cu-MOF-74 can stably release Cu2+ by virtue of the coordination dissociative mechanism. Studies have proved that MWCNT can inhibit the growth of bacteria, so adding the MWCNT can help to reduce the amount of the copper ions and ensure the antibacterial effect of the coating. In addition, the cross-linked network and abundant -COOH provided by the polymers and MWCNT-COOH further prevent the loss of copper ions. Moreover, the coating we prepared has good performance of self-healing at room temperature or slightly heated because the polymers possess abundant non-covalent hydrogen bonds. Finally, the coating not only has superior antibacterial property, but also effectively prevents the adhesion of macrofouling organism. Therefore, the coating has a longer service life and its environmental friendliness has also been improved. Cu-MOF-74/multi-walled carbon nanotube containing carboxyl groups (MWCNT-COOH) hybrid composite coating consisting of Cu-MOF-74, MWCNT-COOH and self-healing polymers possesses self-healing and anti-biofouling properties. Cu-MOF-74 as a coordination material makes the slow release of copper ions be achievable by virtue of the coordination dissociative mechanism between its metal ions and ligands. MWCNT can inhibit the growth of bacteria because of its size structure. In addition, the cross-linked network and abundant -COOH provided by the polymers and MWCNT-COOH further prevent the loss of copper ions. The as-prepared coating possesses good performance of self-healing resulting from the abundant non-covalent hydrogen bonds. The coating can also inhibit the growth of macrofouling organism. [Display omitted] •The as-prepared coating possesses self-healing, superior antibacterial and antibiofouling properties.•The Cu2+ in the coating are stable and continuous release and the content is reduced.•The as-prepared coating has long-term effectiveness and environmentally friendly property.