Chemistry and application of emerging ecofriendly antifouling paints: a review

There has been a global concern about the use of tributyltin-based coatings in combating biofouling in the marine industry. Although there have been alternatives to tributyltin in preventing biofouling, the emphasis is now on the use of nontoxic and/or ecofriendly natural materials which do not negatively affect the environment upon application. Natural materials are ecofriendly, biodegradable, cost-effective, and can be employed as precursors in the synthesis and formulation of biodegradable antifouling coatings. Consequently, many researchers are investing time into the synthesis and formulation of natural, ecofriendly antifouling coatings, comprised of higher biofiber, which would perform analogous antifouling like other conventional coatings, thus minimizing the more toxic base polymer proportion. A safe environment is surely the signal of a bright future; hence, cost-effective, biodegradable raw materials result in a long-term attainment of sustainability of these products to replace the expensive conventional ones. This review presents an overview of ecologically friendly, cost-effective, and legally acceptable ways of preventing and mitigating the growth of algae and other marine organisms from settling on the hull of a ship and other static constructions in oilfields.