Daylight-driven photocatalysis fluorescence synergy on bioinspired micro/nanostructured PDMS films for all weather static marine antifouling

Enhancing the static antifouling performance of silicone-based coatings using low-cost, high-performance, and environmentally friendly materials has remained a persistent challenge. Here, we successfully developed an all-weather antifouling composite film (CNTEP), by combining the natural extract 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin with an Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 /NiTiO 3 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst on a polydimethylsiloxane film featuring a bioinspired coconut leaf surface, which integrates the multiple functions of natural antibacterial activity, UV responsive blue fluorescence, efficient reactive oxygen species release, and reduced contact with fouling organisms towards long-term anti-biofouling. The integrated design and excellent integrity of the biomimetic and catalytic components, as proved by experiments and theoretical calculations, provide a strong synergistic effect. The CNTEP film achieved a maximum antibacterial rate of 97.36 % and an anti-algae adhesion rate of 98.51 %, and remained stable after the antifouling test. Due to the strong synergistic mechanism, the CNTEP composite films achieved long-term marine antifouling in a stagnant/low-flow environment all-weather, and completely avoided traditional heavy metal fungicides, with a cost approximately 25 % lower than that of Cu-based coatings.