ABSTRACT A dual‐layer coated fabric was proposed as an anti‐fouling solution to tackle the marine biofouling challenges encountered by seawater sensors in ocean applications. The coating fabric was fabricated by combining an aerogel/polyurethane coating, characterized by outstanding anti‐fouling properties and elasticity, with a knitted fabric possessing superior water exchange capability. Comprehensive material characterization and performance evaluations were performed to reveal the microstructural features and anti‐fouling mechanisms of the coating. Experimental results confirmed that the coating fabric exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, achieving an elongation at break of 1963%. In addition, the material demonstrates notable antioxidant properties, achieving DPPH and OH free radical scavenging rates of 86% and 10%, respectively. Notably, the coating demonstrated stable anti‐fouling performance throughout a continuous 90‐day marine field test, while preserving the accuracy of sensor data acquisition. The developed coating protective fabric provides a novel technical approach to solving the biofouling problem of seawater sensors, contributing significantly to the reliability and long‐term stability of marine environmental monitoring.
Tian et al. (Fri,) studied this question.