High-Toughness Double-Network PAM/PSBMA Hydrogels for Ship Antifouling and Drag-Reduction

Résumé fourni par la source

As an essential part of global trade, the maritime industry faces challenges in improving energy efficiency and sustainability. Biofouling, the accumulation of microorganisms, algae, and marine organisms on ship hulls, significantly increases the ship’s resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, effective antifouling and drag-reduction technologies are critical for achieving energy savings and developing green, low-carbon vessels. Due to their high hydrophilicity, hydrogels demonstrate significant potential for applications in marine antifouling and drag reduction. In this study, a new double-network (DN) hydrogel was prepared based on the zwitterionic material sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and acrylamide (AAm) through a simple two-step method. By adjusting the ratios of the monomers, the PAM/PSBMA double-network hydrogel exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, including high elastic modulus and high tensile strength. This DN hydrogel showed remarkable resistance to the adsorption of bacteria and algae, showing outstanding antifouling properties. This research provides a new insight into the application of hydrogel technology in ship antifouling and drag reduction, contributing to global energy-saving and sustainability goals.

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