Author(s)

Yang Ding

Corresponding Author

Yang Ding

Abstract

The unabated growth of marine biofouling on submerged structures has been a subject of concern for the maritime industry, increasing maintenance costs and creating ecological imbalances. Traditional antifouling methods are associated with toxic biocide release into marine life. In response, environmental concerns have spurred a surge in the search for friendly alternatives, where hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates. This review deals with the current status of marine antifouling hydrogels, their harmless nature, and their mechanical properties. The most recent research is discussed in this review, including double-network hydrogels, zwitterionic hydrogels, and self-healing hydrogels. Potential applications in the prevention of marine biofouling are presented. Attention is brought to complex problems of material design and durability that require interdisciplinary research.

Keywords

Marine biofouling, antifouling coatings, hydrogels, polymers