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Abstract
Marine biofouling presents a significant challenge, leading to the development of various antibiofouling solutions. While effective, traditional methods pose environmental risks due to toxic substances leaching into marine ecosystems. As a result, research is increasingly shifting towards focusing on sustainable alternatives. This review examined more than 100 studies on marine antibiofouling technologies, highlighting innovative approaches that minimize environmental impact. Key chemical deterrents include non-toxic biocides and various surface properties, while physical deterrents like altered surface topography and photocatalysts show promise. However, many eco-friendly solutions still depend on harmful substances. Future research should integrate multiple antifouling mechanisms and refine definitions of sustainability to assess life-cycle impacts. Collaboration among scientists, industry, and regulators is essential to foster innovation and adopt sustainable technologies for preserving marine ecosystems.
Supplementary materials
Title
The 100 marine antibiofouling studies reviewed for the semi-systematic literature review.
Description
This table includes 100 research articles based on marine antifouling solutions from the past decade (2015-2025), describing the antibiofouling technology, properties, functionality, advantages and disadvantages.
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Title
Compilation of the antibiofouling techniques used from the literature review of 100 marine antibiofouling studies.
Description
Compilation of the antibiofouling techniques used from the literature review of 100 marine antibiofouling studies (Supplementary Material Table S1), where some solutions used multiple techniques for a synergistic approach. The antibiofouling technologies include biocides, hydrophobic/superhydrophobic/low surface energy surfaces, self-polishing surfaces, altered topography, zwitterions, hydrophilic surfaces, amphiphilic surfaces, electrochemical repulsion, photocatalysts, and other physical deterrents.
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