Graphene-Based Composite Coatings for Ship Anticorrosion and Antifouling: A Review on Progress and Prospects

Xurui Wang

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202607_12(7).0011

Authors

Xurui Wang College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202607_12(7).0011

Keywords:

Graphene-Based Composite Coating; Ship Anticorrosion; Ship Antifouling; Integrated Synergistic Design; Interfacial Reinforcement.

Abstract

The marine environment, on account of its elevated salinity, humidity, and UV radiation, brings about severe corrosion and biofouling to ships and offshore structures. Traditional coatings encounter difficulties in fulfilling the requirements of eco-sustainability, durability, and multifunctional synergy. Graphene, by virtue of its extraordinarily high specific surface area, chemical stability, as well as gas barrier properties, has emerged as a pivotal material for marine protection. The present review carries out a systematic consolidation of the recent advances in graphene-based composite coatings for ship anticorrosion and antifouling. It provides an elaboration on the “labyrinth effect” barrier mechanism of graphene and its integration with low-surface-energy components, for instance, FOTS and LDH. The key bottlenecks-namely functional isolation, weak interfacial adhesion, and elevated scaling costs-are subjected to a critical examination. The potential of a gradient functional design that incorporates an anticorrosion base combined with an antifouling top layer for integrated synergistic protection is explored, and a performance evaluation framework that encompasses impedance, contact angle, and biofouling attachment is put forward. Future directions are outlined, covering interfacial reinforcement, gradient synergy optimization, cost-effective scalable processes, as well as standardized evaluation criteria, thereby offering insights for engineering applications.

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