Sediment‐resistant marine antifouling: Comparative performance of amphiphilic poly( SBMA ‐ co ‐ TFEMA ) and anionic poly( SPMA ) coatings

Abstract Hydration‐based, non‐biocidal marine antifouling coatings can lose effectiveness when sediment deposition masks the interfacial hydration barrier. Two strategies have emerged to address this challenge: anionic polymers, which electrostatically repel negatively charged sediments while maintaining surface hydration, and amphiphilic copolymers, which combine hydration‐based resistance with low‐surface‐energy fouling‐release properties. However, their relative effectiveness under identical sediment‐rich marine conditions remains unclear. Herein, we directly compared anionic poly(SPMA) and zwitterionic amphiphilic poly(SBMA‐ co ‐TFEMA) coatings. Both polymers were synthesized via RAFT polymerization and immobilized onto Si/SiO 2 and stainless steel using a polydopamine primer and Zr(IV)‐mediated crosslinking. Both coatings reduced diatom attachment by approximately 90% after 1 day and maintained negligible silt deposition over 7 days. Despite their distinct interfacial mechanisms, both strategies showed comparable resistance to sediment deposition and diatom attachment, providing design guidelines for durable, non‐biocidal marine antifouling coatings.