Fluorocarbon-based self-layering interpenetrating polymer-network coatings with anti-fouling and anti-icing properties

Both marine biofouling and ice accretion belong to the problems that have a wide-reaching impact on ship navigation and maintenance, particularly for vessels sailing between tropical and polar environments. Herein, underwater self-layering interpenetrating polymer-network coatings consisting of fluorocarbon resin/polyacrylate (F/PAA-X, F/PBA-X) with excellent anti-fouling and anti-icing properties are demonstrated. The F/PAA-X and F/PBA-X surfaces exhibit a micro-wrinkled structure after they are immersed in artificial seawater, owing to the phase segregation between the fluorinated chain segments and hydrophilic carboxyl groups. The enriched fluorinated segments on the coating surface and micro-wrinkled structure not only reduce the surface energy of the coating, but also provide unstable adhesion and prolong the ice-crystal nucleation time. This underwater self-layering coating exhibits exceptional adhesion inhibition against bacteria, algae, and mussels as well as excellent de-icing and anti-icing performance after immersion. This investigation provides a promising and versatile strategy for achieving simultaneous anti-fouling/anti-icing, which can be used to satisfy the practical application needs of hull protection.