Influence of pH in the synthesis of ferric tannate pigment for application in antifouling coatings

Abstract

Ferric tannate was synthesized at pH 4 and pH 7 (FT4 and FT7, respectively) as a new class of environmentally friendly antifouling pigments. The solubility of both pigments was evaluated by gravimetric tests, showing that FT4 is more soluble than FT7. A mixture of rosin/acrylic resin (9:1 w/w) was sufficient to form an antifouling coating due to improved matrix properties. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to determine the apparent water coefficient of diffusion (D) and coating behavior. The D in the coating formulated with FT4 exhibited better values than that obtained with FT7. EIS results showed that both coatings present Fickian behavior at the initial stages of immersion, while flat Nyquist plots revealed penetration of water in the films. The physicochemical characteristics of FT4 pigment were determined by thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared. Immersion tests in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrated the excellent efficacy of the FT4-containing coating against marine fouling after six months of immersion.