The adhesion of marine-fouling organisms to ships significantly increases the hull surface resistance and expedites hull material corrosion. This review delves into the marine biofouling mechanism on marine material surfaces, analyzing the fouling organism adhesion process on hull surfaces and common desorption methods. It highlights the crucial role played by surface energy in antifouling and drag reduction on hulls. The paper primarily concentrates on low-surface-energy antifouling coatings, such as organic silicon and organic fluorine, for ship hull antifouling and drag reduction. Furthermore, it explores the antifouling mechanisms of silicon-based and fluorine-based low-surface-energy antifouling coatings, elucidating their respective advantages and limitations in real-world applications. This review also investigates the antifouling effectiveness of bionic microstructures based on the self-cleaning abilities of natural organisms. It provides a thorough analysis of antifouling and drag reduction theories and preparation methods linked to marine organism surface microstructures, while also clarifying the relationship between microstructure surface antifouling and surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, it reviews the impact of antibacterial agents, especially antibacterial peptides, on fouling organisms’ adhesion to substrate surfaces and compares the differing effects of surface structure and substances on ship surface antifouling. The paper outlines the potential applications and future directions for low-surface-energy antifouling coating technology.

Bacterial contamination and the escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance represent pressing global public health threats, with approximately 4.95 million deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019 and projections estimating up to 10 million annual fatalities by 2050. As third-generation antimicrobial materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional agents, leveraging their unique attributes such as high specific surface areas, tunable porosity, and controlled metal ion release kinetics. This review provides a systematic analysis of the foundational principles and core antibacterial mechanisms of MOFs, which include the sustained release of metal ions (e.g., Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺), the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and synergistic effects with encapsulated functional molecules. We highlight how these mechanisms underpin their efficacy across a range of applications. Rather than offering an exhaustive list of synthesis methods and metal compositions, this review focuses on clarifying structure–function relationships that enable MOF-based materials to outperform conventional antimicrobials. Their potential is particularly evident in several key areas: wound dressings and medical coatings that enhance tissue regeneration and prevent infections; targeted nanotherapeutics against drug-resistant bacteria; and functional coatings for food preservation and water disinfection. Despite existing challenges, including gaps in clinical translation, limited efficacy in complex multi-species infections, and incomplete mechanistic understanding, MOFs hold significant promise to revolutionize antimicrobial therapy. Through interdisciplinary optimization and advancements in translational research, MOFs are poised to drive a paradigm shift from “passive defense” to “active ecological regulation”, offering a critical solution to mitigate the global AMR crisis.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known for their antibacterial properties and their ability to promote wound healing. By incorporating silver nanoparticles into medical gauze, the resulting composite material shows promise as an advanced wound dressing. However, clinical applications are hindered by challenges related to the stability of silver nanoparticle loading on the gauze as nanoparticle leaching can compromise antibacterial efficacy. In this study, silver nanoparticles were immobilized onto polydopamine (PDA) submicron particles, which were then used to modify medical gauze. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was employed to analyze the elemental distribution on the modified gauze, confirming successful surface modification. The antibacterial properties of the modified gauze were assessed using a laser scanning confocal microscope (CLSM). The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the adhesion rates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by 99.1% and 63%, respectively, on the PDA–Ag-modified gauze. Optical density (OD) measurements at 590 nm indicated that the modified gauze effectively inhibited biofilm formation, underscoring its potent antimicrobial capabilities. Further antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by diluting and plating co-cultured bacterial solutions with the modified dressing, followed by 24 h incubation and colony counting. The gauze exhibited an antibacterial efficiency of 99.99% against E. coli and 99.8% against S. aureus. Additionally, cell compatibility tests, involving the co-culture of PDA–Ag composites with human cells, demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. These findings suggest that PDA–Ag-modified medical gauze holds significant potential for the treatment of infected wounds, offering a promising solution to improve wound care through enhanced antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility.

Implants and other medical devices are prone to bacterial infections on their surface due to bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. In this study, silver nanoparticles were generated in situ onto regulated synthesized polydopamine particles, and the optimal amount of silver nitrate was determined. Composite micro–nano particles were then deposited on a titanium alloy surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to confirm that the titanium alloy surface was successfully coated with PDA-Ag. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and three-dimensional optical profilometry were utilized to analysis the morphology of the micro–nano particles and the surface morphology after deposition. The diameters of the polydopamine particles and silver nanoparticles were 150 nm and 25 nm, respectively. The surface roughness values decreased from 0.357 μm to 25.253 μm because of the coated PDA-Ag. Morphology and chemical composition analyses of the modified surface indicated that the PDA-Ag particles were uniformly bonded to the substrate surface. Antimicrobial assays illustrated that the PDA-Ag-modified surface possessed resistance against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus attachment, with an effectiveness of 96.14 and 85.78%, respectively. This work provides a new strategy and theoretical basis for tackling medical-related surface infections caused by bacterial adhesion.

An innovative antifouling composite coating comprising dopamine (DA), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and silica (SiO₂) was developed through a straightforward and environmentally friendly approach. Initially, silica nanoparticles comodified with DA and PEI were meticulously deposited onto 304 stainless steel surfaces pretreated with dopamine to achieve a uniformly distributed nanocomposite surface. Comprehensive analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurement (CA), and 3D optical profilometry, were employed to affirm the successful preparation of the silica nanocomposite coatings and the effective grafting of MAG II. The antibacterial and antibiofilm performance of the DA/PEI/SiO₂-modified surface was rigorously assessed using Vibrio natriegens (V. natriegens), yielding compelling results indicating a substantial 51.4% reduction in biofilm formation on the SS-DA/PEI/SiO₂ sample surfaces, coupled with an impressive 95.2% decrease in V. natriegens adhesion. This pioneering research introduces an innovative strategy for the development of antimicrobial surfaces with promising applications in medical devices, aquaculture, and related fields.

Long-term immersion in seawater easily causes surface fouling and affects the marine aquaculture industry. The commonly used method is to apply copper-based coatings on surfaces, however, the release of copper ions will harm marine organisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a substance extracted from organisms that possess environmental friendliness. This study extracted AMPs from traditional Chinese medicine, analyzed their amino acid sequences, and bound them to the surfaces of cage materials based on the strong adhesion of dopamine in weakly alkaline environments. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectrum results showed that the antibacterial peptide was successfully bound to the substrate surface, and the contact angle results demonstrated a significant change in the wettability of the substrate surface. Antibacterial tests were conducted on the surface of the sample using Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The results illustrated that 304 stainless steel (SS) and nylon (PA) surfaces modified by the antibacterial peptide exhibited significant biofilm resistance, with antibacterial adhesion properties reaching 88.68% and 82.61%, respectively, exhibiting the robustness of the antimicrobial efficiency. This study can provide theoretical support for the antifouling performance of the surfaces of marine aquaculture cages.