Graphene-based Coating Material for Marine Applications

Important results from the project

The aim of the project is to examine the feasibility of development of environmentally friendly coating systems with graphene-based material to achieve a combined protection against corrosion and biofouling in marine environments. By literature survey, we see the possibility to apply functionalized graphene (FG) in marine coatings; and with preliminary test, the dispersing of FG in polymer is applicable. The anti-fouling test method was also established.

Expected long term effects

From the literature survey we see the possibility of applying graphene-based material in marine coatings both for anti-corrosion and anti-fouling application without introducing toxicity into the environment. Experimentally, wWe have tried to make well dispernsed graphene in the polymer matrix, which is expected beneficialcritical for mass production of paints with graphene materials as the anti-fouling and corrosion agents. Besides, we developed an efficient experimental approach for testing graphene based materials in laboratory environment using natural sea water.

Approach and implementation

The graphene materials studied in this pre-study show good potential as anti-corrosion and anti-fouling agents, and we still need a profound understanding of the specific mechanism of the materials. The anti-fouling, corrosion protection performance, and the long term environmental influence of graphene paints must be further investigated, which needs to be done in natural marine environment. A systematic study of these aspects is expected to take 2-3 years, which serves as a demonstration project that leads to future commercialization of graphene paints in marine applications.