Incorporation of Medetomidine (Selektope®) into silicones

To-date, the marine biocide, Selektope (Medetomidine) has been successfully commercialised in multiple self-polishing biocidal coating products for the function of repelling barnacle larvae from the hull to prevent settling behaviour. The barnacle repelling effect is obtained when medetomidine leaches out from the coating surface when it is continuously polished by seawater.

The leach rate of medetomidine at the coating surface can differ depending on the characteristics of the coating. The main challenge is to control the release rate of medetomidine – this is the case for both self-polishing coatings and foul release coatings.

Currently, the use of medetomidine in foul release coating types has not been commercialised.

However, extensive R&D work undertaken by I-Tech has confirmed that medetomidine can be incorporated silicones, by the reaction between a functional isocyanate group attached on silicones.

This technical paper is based on the incorporation if medetomidine into silicones using the isocyanates adduct. The silicone could act as carrier for medetomidine with potential of decreasing the leaching rate and to significantly improve the protection against barnacle fouling.