Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB, UK.
Biotechnol Adv. 2013 Dec;31(8):1738-53. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.09.002. Epub 2013 Sep 16.
Following the ban in 2003 on the use of tributyl-tin compounds in antifouling coatings, the search for an environmentally-friendly alternative has accelerated. Biocidal TBT alternatives, such as diuron and Irgarol 1051®, have proved to be environmentally damaging to marine organisms. The issue regarding the use of biocides is that concerning the half-life of the compounds which allow a perpetuation of the toxic effects into the marine food chain, and initiate changes in the early stages of the organisms' life-cycle. In addition, the break-down of biocides can result in metabolites with greater toxicity and longevity than the parent compound. Functionalized coatings have been designed to repel the settlement and permanent attachment of fouling organisms via modification of either or both surface topography and surface chemistry, or by interfering with the natural mechanisms via which fouling organisms settle upon and adhere to surfaces. A large number of technologies are being developed towards producing new coatings that will be able to resist biofouling over a period of years and thus truly replace biocides as antifouling systems. In addition urgent research is directed towards the exploitation of mechanisms used by living organisms designed to repel the settlement of fouling organisms. These biomimetic strategies include the production of antifouling enzymes and novel surface topography that are incompatible with permanent attachment, for example, by mimicking the microstructure of shark skin. Other research seeks to exploit chemical signals and antimicrobial agents produced by diverse living organisms in the environment to prevent settlement and growth of fouling organisms on vulnerable surfaces. Novel polymer-based technologies may prevent fouling by means of unfavourable surface chemical and physical properties or by concentrating antifouling compounds around surfaces.
自 2003 年禁止在防污涂料中使用三丁基锡化合物以来，寻找环保替代品的工作加速了。事实证明，生物杀灭剂 TBT 的替代品，如敌草隆和 Irgarol 1051®，对海洋生物具有环境破坏性。使用生物杀灭剂的问题在于化合物的半衰期，这允许有毒效应持续存在于海洋食物链中，并在生物体生命周期的早期引发变化。此外，生物杀灭剂的分解会导致代谢物比母体化合物具有更大的毒性和更长的半衰期。功能化涂层通过改变表面形貌和表面化学性质，或通过干扰生物附着和附着在表面上的自然机制，被设计用于排斥污损生物的定居和永久附着。大量技术正在被开发，以生产能够抵抗生物污损的新涂层，从而真正取代生物杀灭剂作为防污系统。此外，迫切需要研究利用生物体用来排斥污损生物定居的机制。这些仿生策略包括生产抗污损酶和与永久性附着不兼容的新型表面形貌，例如模仿鲨鱼皮的微观结构。其他研究旨在利用环境中各种生物体产生的化学信号和抗菌剂来防止污损生物在脆弱表面上的定居和生长。新型基于聚合物的技术可以通过不利的表面化学和物理性质或通过在表面周围集中抗污损化合物来防止污损。
