Preparation and performance of a low-cuprous oxide antifouling coating for static marine renewable energy facilities

Abstract Marine biofouling poses serious challenges to offshore structures and marine renewable energy facilities. Conventional self-polishing antifouling coatings typically rely on high cuprous oxide loadings and non-degradable polymer matrices, which limit static-condition performance and raise environmental concerns. Here, we report a low-cuprous-oxide (10 wt%) antifouling coating formulated with a degradable zinc acrylate resin (H100Z) as the primary film former. The H100Z resin combines main-chain degradation with side-chain hydrolysis to enable continuous surface renewal and controlled Cu 2+ release. Combined with low-toxic biocides (DCOIT, CPT, ECONEA), the coating achieved smooth film formation, strong adhesion (∼3 MPa), and stable performance after seawater immersion. The copper ion release stabilized at 8–10 μg·cm −2 ·d −1 , indicating a steady self-polishing process. Field tests in Xiamen coastal waters demonstrated antifouling performance comparable to commercial coatings containing over 30 wt% Cu 2 O, highlighting its potential for sustainable marine and renewable energy applications.