Biomimetic self-lubricating silicone composite based on biochar for antifouling with improved long-term release

Fouling-release material based on silicone are considered to be a green marine antifouling material system with broad application prospects due to the absence of fungicides. Inspired by the mucus secretion behavior of fish epidermis, a silicone-based antifouling composite and infused with silicone oil were fabricated. Oil exude to the composite surface has a similar function to the mucus secretion of fish epidermis, making the composite surface lubricated and improving the biofouling release properties. Ensuring the long-term release of oil is the key to the long-term antifouling of such materials. Biochar, as an emerging environmentally friendly material, has a unique porous structure that can effectively adsorb oil and achieve functions of huge oil storage and slow exudation. In this work, we used porous corncob biochar as lubricant container to explore the effects of different additions on the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the composites, especially the self-lubricating properties of oil. When doped with an appropriate amount of biochar, the release of oil can be delayed while improving the mechanical properties of the composite, thus achieving long-term fouling release capacity.