Erosion of a model rosin-based marine antifouling paint binder as studied with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and ellipsometry

In this study two surface sensitive methods, i.e. quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and ellipsometry, were used for erosion measurements of a rosin-based marine antifouling paint binder. Thin films of the binder were applied on sensor surfaces by the means of spin-coating and the effect of water velocity over the paint film, water temperature or ionic strength on erosion was investigated. Both the acoustic QCM-D model and the optical ellipsometry model gave comparable erosion results. The initial 2–50 nm rapid erosion of the top layer was followed by steady-state erosion rate until end of experiment. For example, the steady-state erosion rate was 12 nm/24 h in artificial seawater at 23 °C and with a flow of 200 μl/min over the paint surface as measured with QCM-D. The erosion rate increased with increased velocity and increased temperature. Ionic strength had no effect on the erosion rate of this model binder. At low water velocities the surface layer was highly dissipative indicating a water filled surface top layer or the formation of deposits on the surface. New characterization techniques that are able to study the erosion mechanisms on the nanometre scale are sought for as the binders get more technically complex containing, for example, nanoparticles or enzymes. Surface sensitive methods could be used to rapidly screen the effect of different binder chemistries or paint additives on the erosion during the paint development process.