Bio-based cellulose nanofibre coating prevents marine biofouling

Marine optical devices are highly susceptible to biofouling, which reduces transparency and disrupts performance. Conventional coatings often rely on toxic biocides or dynamic surfaces, both of which either harm the marine environment or fail to deliver the stability required for long-term operation.

A Chinese research team has now developed a sustainable solution: transparent coatings based on zwitterionic cellulose nanofibres (ZCNF). These were modified with amino acids such as lysine, arginine and histidine. Lysine-modified ZCNFs in particular showed improved antifouling performance and outstanding hydrophilicity, which are essential for transparency and biofilm resistance.

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Long-term performance in marine environments

Both laboratory studies and marine field trials confirmed the effectiveness of ZCNF coatings. In controlled laboratory conditions, antifouling efficiency reached up to 90 %, while real-world tests demonstrated around 80 % efficiency after 150 days. This stability surpasses many conventional approaches.

The study demonstrates that zwitterionic, bio-based coatings represent a sustainable alternative for protecting marine optical devices – without the use of environmentally harmful biocides.

Source: Duan, Y. et al., Transparent zwitterionic cellulose nanofibers-based coatings for marine antifouling. Prog. Org. Coat. 203, 109172 (2025).

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