Provided is a surface-protective coating composition capable of forming a surface-protective coating film in which the occurrence of cracks is suppressed during the formation of the coating film, while using a polymer having marine biodegradability. Also provided are: a surface-protective coating film formed from the surface-protective coating composition; a substrate with a surface-protective coating film, which is coated with the surface-protective coating film, and a method of producing the same; and a surface protection method using the surface-protective coating film. The surface-protective coating composition according to the present invention contains a polycaprolactone-based polymer (A) and a zinc oxide (B), wherein the polycaprolactone-based polymer (A) has an acid value of 5 mgKOH/g or more and 200 mgKOH/g or less, and a structural unit derived from caprolactone in the polycaprolactone-based polymer (A) has a content of 50% by mass or more and 99.5% by mass or less.

The present invention relates to silica aerogels with a high to very high loading (55-90% w/w) of encapsulated biocidal and/or biorepellant compounds and very low thermal conductivity and to methods of making and using such aerogels in anti-fouling compositions, which are especially suitable for coatings (marine paints, coatings, sealants, lacquers, wood protection or similar controlled leaching systems) that are naturally exposed to humid conditions and/or water, including sea water, and thus prone to fouling.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

The present invention provides an antifouling coating formed from a water-based coating composition comprising 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass of ultrafine silica particles having an average particle size equal to or less than 25 nm, 5% by mass to 50% by mass, relative to the ultrafine silica particles, of a zirconium compound which is at least one selected from zirconium chloride and zirconyl chloride, and 30% by mass to 99.5% by mass of water. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide an antifouling coating that can maintain the antifouling performance and hydrophilicity and prevent corrosion of fins even under an environment with a large amount of contaminating substances, such as metal particles, in the air.

The invention relates to a hull of a vessel having characteristic surface properties, allowing an increase in surface runoff while benefiting from an inherent anti-fouling property and an original aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the invention allows the incorporation of said outer composite envelope into the structure of the hull, thereby preventing delamination problems and inherently providing a vessel hull with the above-mentioned properties.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

The present disclosure relates to coatings comprising functionalized graphene(s) and polymers (resins). In accordance with the disclosure, graphene can be used with functionalization with polymers (resins) with or without pigments, fillers, reactive catalysts or accelerators as finishes to protect roll steel, galvanized roll steel, equipment, automobiles, ships, construction and marine structures from corrosion, fouling and UV deterioration.

The invention relates generally to liquid-repellent coatings, and in particular, to porous liquid-repellent coatings, a method of preparing the porous liquid-repellent coatings, and a method of characterizing a porous surface for the liquid-repellent coatings. The invention further relates to a porous liquid-repellent coating comprising a porous layer of a transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide and a layer of a liquid-repellent compound deposited onto the porous layer of the transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide, wherein the porous layer of the transition metal oxide and/or hydroxide is comprised of a plurality of surface pores of varying angles with an average angle that is re-entrant.

An antimicrobial formulation that can be directly added into a composition or onto a surface of a composition (e.g., forming a surface coating on a composition or device). The antimicrobial formulation includes sodium pentaborate, di-sodium tetraborate decahydrate, titanium diborite, titanium borate, sodium pyrithione, zinc pyrithione, benzhetonium chloride, or any combination thereof.

The present invention provides among other things silver nanoparticles and methods of making the same. The nanoparticles may be sulfidated to decrease the silver leaching rate and sustain the biocidal properties. Such nanoparticles may be applied as a coating or additive to substrates such as metals, alloys, polymers, membranes, textiles, and other such materials, allowing for the substrates to exhibit antimicrobial properties.