Highly fluorescent acrylic resin containing a fluoranthene derivative structure achieves efficient marine antifouling performance through three mechanisms: fluorescence antiadhesion, chemical repellency and self-polishing

Marine antifouling materials based on fluorescence characteristics are the development trend for environmentally friendly marine antifouling coatings. Existing fluorescent antifouling materials face limitations such as limited functions and unclear mechanisms. A novel fluoranthene derivative was synthesized by Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction, after which zinc acrylate resin containing the derivative was prepared. The results of the performance evaluation revealed that the inhibitory effect of the resin on algae growth was 28.4 %, and the antiadhesion effect increased by 72.7 %, which indicated that the resin had chemical repellent properties. Compared with that under the incubator light, the antiadhesion performance under sunlight increased by 52.4 %. The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments in the algae increased by 41.2 % (carotenoids), whereas the EPS decreased by 42.6 % (RPS) and 13.1 % (CPS). These results suggested that the fluorescence effect promoted the photosynthesis of algae and reduced the secretion of EPS. The actual sea antifouling test results confirmed that the resin has excellent antifouling effects because of its combination of fluorescence, chemical repellency and self-polishing properties. This study laid the foundation for the development of a multifunctional and environmentally friendly marine antifouling material belt.