Aluminium-polymethyl methacrylate-copper (Al-PMMA-Cu) composite coatings were developed using cored wire arc spraying. The bacteria Bacillus sp. was used to evaluate the antifouling performances of the coatings. The microstructures and antifouling mechanisms of the coatings were investigated and discussed. The results show that the composite coatings presented improved antifouling performances, and two antifouling mechanisms were explored. On the one hand, the Cu nano-particles were released to seawater due to corrosion of the Al components, converted to cupric ions, and killed the bacteria. Meanwhile, oxidation of Al was accelerated due to Cu-Al galvanic reaction, and the needle-like corrosion products were formed, which pierced the cell membranes and killed the bacteria. The effects of the PMMA on the electrochemical properties of the coatings were also evaluated. The results show that the sealing function of the PMMA components enhanced the corrosion resistance of the Al-PMMA-Cu coatings. This investigation shed light on one-step construction of antifouling and anticorrosion layers for marine applications.

中文翻译：

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电弧喷涂复合涂层中铜离子和针状氧化铝的双重防污机理

铝-聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯-铜 (Al-PMMA-Cu) 复合涂层是使用芯线电弧喷涂开发的。细菌芽孢杆菌。用于评价涂料的防污性能。对涂层的微观结构和防污机理进行了研究和讨论。结果表明，复合涂层具有改善的防污性能，并探索了两种防污机理。一方面，由于铝组分的腐蚀，Cu纳米颗粒释放到海水中，转化为铜离子，杀死细菌。同时，由于Cu-Al电化学反应加速Al的氧化，形成针状腐蚀产物，刺穿细胞膜杀死细菌。还评估了 PMMA 对涂层电化学性能的影响。结果表明，PMMA 组件的密封功能增强了 Al-PMMA-Cu 涂层的耐腐蚀性。这项调查揭示了用于船舶应用的防污和防腐蚀层的一步构建。