The invention refers to a method for recovering copper from waste fishing nets. The method of the invention includes washing of nets in a washing liquid, wherein an antifouling coating and other impurities are removed from the surface of the nets to a largest extent possible. The washing liquid is water; NaOH can also be added into the water in order to improve the efficiency of washing, such that the NaOH concentration in the water is up to 20%. The suspension of the washing liquid, sludge and other impurities, resulting from the washing step, is led to a separation step. The sludge obtained in the separation step is led to the dissolution step in an acidic medium. A strong mineral acid is selected as the acidic medium, such as H.sub.2SO.sub.4, HNO.sub.3, HCl, a mixture of strong mineral acids or a mixture of one or several strong mineral acids with H.sub.2O.sub.2. Then, the non-dissolved sludge is separated from the solution of copper ions Cu.sup.2+ in the acidic medium, the solution of copper ions Cu.sup.2+ in the acidic medium is led to electrolysis, wherein elementary copper having a purity of more than 94% is deposited on the cathode. The non-dissolved residual sludge can be optionally led to thermal treatment to the reactor, where the residual paraffins and co-polymers are removed at a temperature ranging from 500 C. to 900 C. The remaining ash may contain up to 30% by weight of copper compounds based on the weight of the ash, particularly in the form of copper(ll) oxide CuO, less in the form of copper(l) oxide Cu.sub.2O and copper phosphates Cu(H.sub.2PO.sub.4).sub.2, Na.sub.6Cu.sub.9(PO.sub.4).sub.8. This ash is then led to dissolution in the acidic medium and to further steps of the method. The proposed method of the invention improves the method for recycling waste nets, such that not only pure polyamide is obtained from the nets but also elementary copper, which has a double benefit: elementary copper in a sufficiently pure form is a useful raw material, moreover, the quantity of copper in final waste is reduced, consequently a negative impact on the environment is reduced and the cost of waste disposal of the method is reduced as well.

Provided herein are articles including repellent coatings, as well as methods of making as using these articles. The articles can comprise a substrate and a repellent coating disposed on a surface of the substrate. The repellant coating can comprise hydrophobic particles dispersed within a polymer binder. The hydrophobic particles can be aggregated within the polymer binder, thereby forming a multiplicity of re-entrant structures embedded within and protruding from the polymer binder. The repellent coatings, and by extension the articles described herein, can exhibit selective wetting properties (e.g., superhydrophilicty/super-oleophobicity, or super-hydrophobicity/superoleophilicity).

A composition comprising an ethylene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer and an anti-fouling agent is provided. The composition selectively disintegrates in media of different ionic strengths. Also provided is a method of preventing fouling using the composition.

The present invention aims to provide a water-repellant and oil-repellant coating composition which has good water-repellant and oil-repellant characteristics and further improves abrasion resistance, and a transparent film produced therefrom. The present invention is a water-repellant and oil-repellant coating composition comprising a first organic silicon compound (A) in which a fluorine-containing group having a perfluoroalkyl group or a perfluoropolyether group on the free end side thereof and a hydrolyzable group are bonded to a silicon atom thereof, and a second organic silicon compound (B) that is a hydrolyzable silane oligomer or a compound in which a carbon fluoride-containing group and a hydrolyzable group are bonded to a silicon atom thereof and that has a vapor pressure at 100 C. of 1 atm or less.

A bio-active composite material includes one or more organic molecules, each organic molecule including a metal coordinating functional group and an inorganic core attached to the organic molecule. The inorganic core includes one or more metals. The metals may be noble metals and/or non-noble metals. The non-noble metals may be alkali, alkaline earth, transition, post-transition, and metalloid materials. The organic molecule and inorganic core are attached by a covalent bond or a non-covalent bond.

A coated substrate for an electronic device can include a substrate, a basecoat layer on the substrate, and an anti-fingerprint topcoat layer on the basecoat layer. The substrate can include a metal or metal alloy. The basecoat layer can include pigment particles and a first one-part thermally cured polymeric resin. The anti-fingerprint topcoat layer can include a second one-part thermally cured polymeric resin and an anti-fingerprint material. The anti-fingerprint material can include a fluoropolymer, a silane, or a combination thereof. The basecoat layer can be cured before applying the anti-fingerprint topcoat layer on the basecoat layer.

Disclosed herein are methods for preventing biofilm formation on a surface. The present disclosure also relates to anti-biofilm forming agents, to methods of producing and using them, and to anti-fouling coatings produced therefrom.

A method for the prevention of zooglea growth within an air conditioning system includes applying an antifouling coating to an interior of a condensate pipe of the air conditioning system, where the antifouling coating has a base layer of an algaecide, an intermediate layer of a hydrophobic polymer, and a top layer of a metallic powder. The method of applying the antifouling coating includes pouring the algaecide coating into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe, and drying the algaecide coating. The method also includes pouring the hydrophobic polymer into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe to apply the hydrophobic polymer over the algaecide coating, partially drying the hydrophobic polymer, and pouring the metallic powder into the condensate pipe. In addition, the method includes spinning the condensate pipe to apply the metallic powder over the hydrophobic polymer, and drying the hydrophobic polymer until the metallic powder is embedded.

Provided is an extensible decorative film that includes a surface layer having excellent scratch resistance and matte properties before and after extension, and a surface coating composition that may form such a surface layer.

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, high porosity and low thermal conductivity and to methods of making and using such aerogels in antifouling compositions, which are especially suitable for both onshore and offshore 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.