Silicone-modified polyurea-interpenetrating polymer network fouling release coatings with excellent wear resistance property tailored to regulations

[Display omitted] •Silicone-modified polyurea fouling release coating with excellent wear resistance property can be prepared by interpenetration technique.•The prepared low surface energy fouling release coating has the significant effect of inhibiting the adhesion of diatoms and mussels.•The IPHAx coatings still maintain remarkable fouling resistant performance after 800 rounds of friction.•The prepared IPHAx coatings indicate promising potential based on the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee regulations prohibiting ship biofouling. The invasion of alien species via marine organisms attaching to the surfaces of ship hulls is a growing problem. A number of countries have introduced corresponding regulations to combat ship biofouling. One effective way to solve this problem is to apply a fouling release coating with excellent wear resistance. In this study, a silicone-modified polyaspartic ester polyurea was synthesized by a simultaneous crosslinking polymerization. Polyaspartic ester polyurea is employed to form a tightly cross-linked network with excellent toughness and outstanding adhesion, while polydimethylsiloxane is used to form a relatively soft cross-linked network with low surface energy and surface elasticity modulus. Polyurea and silicone molecular chain lock onto each other to form interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) through their respective polymerization systems and cross-linking processes. The synergy between silicone and polyurea provides excellent mechanical properties as well as fouling release performance through the locking mechanism. This study provides a promising and universal strategy for the development of fouling release coatings with excellent wear resistance.