Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
protective the biofilms that can be problematic in marine environments, especially in biofouling. This work illustrates the potential of safe plant-based biolubricants as effective, low-cost, and abundant anti-fouling agents. Their successful application allows for greater opportunities and further implementation within marine environments, where biolubricants can replace synthetic oils to create non-toxic, sustainable SLIPS systems with minimal ecological impact.
Furthermore, another study conducted by Basu et al. [34] explored the replacement of a synthetic lubricant in SLIPS with oleic acid and methyl oleate infused into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The research revealed that the methyl oleate-infused UV-treated PDMS was the most stable liquid film and showed robust anti-fouling performance. Specifically, its ability to prevent the adhesion of muscle threads to the surface, which demonstrated anti-fouling capabilities comparable to those achieved with synthetic lubricants. The anti-fouling performance with biolubricants was equivalent to anti-fouling capabilities of that of other synthetic lubricants, indicating that biolubricants also possess the ability to be used in anti-fouling coating, providing a more effective approach towards further sustainability and eco-friendly measures [34]. This behaviour indicates that biolubricants, such as oleic acid and methyl oleate, offer a more sustainable alternative for creating effective SLIPS coating, combining eco-friendliness with performance on par with traditional synthetic oils.
Although SLIPS holds many benefits, such as a low Young’s modulus and effective anti-fouling properties, one of its main issues is the loss of lubrication throughout anti-fouling applications [35]. One promising remedy was the creation of responsive SLIPS systems that would regulate lubricant release depending on the surrounding biofouling conditions. In a bioinspired approach, Tong et al. [35] designed a “smart SLIPS” coating modeled after the hagfish, which secretes mucus to evade predators. This
32 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.190 DECEMBER 2025
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system can dynamically adjust its lubricant release in response to environmental stimuli, visible light, or heating, as shown in Figure 3, allowing the surface to adapt its anti-fouling performance to real-time marine conditions. During high biofouling periods, usually during the daytime or hot season, the coating increases lubricant seepage to enhance slipperiness and deter fouling organisms. At cooler temperatures or nighttime, when biofouling is less prominent, lubricants release slowly, thereby conserving lubricants and extending the coating’s functional lifespan. The self-regulating behaviour not only improves anti-fouling efficiency but also reduces excess lubricant leakage, making the system more efficient in conserving resources and benefiting the environment. This form of SLIPS also maintains an anti-fouling performance of 180 days, making it one of the longest-lasting anti-fouling coatings reported in real marine field conditions [35]. Pervious research cited in this study compared this result with other SLIPS materials that reported shorter anti-fouling durations, including the 150 days in Lorong Halus, Singapore [36], 148 days in Bohai Bay, China [37], 84 days in Bohai Sea, China [38] and 49 days in Watson Bay, Australia [39]. These findings show the significant advancements in durability and field performance achieved by new SLIPS formulation that reinforces its potential for long-term anti-fouling applications in harsh marine environments. This system demonstrates how bioinspired designs are reshaping marine lubricants, moving towards smart, greener solutions that balance high performance with sustainability.
Figure 3: A 2D diagram of the Hagfish-Inspired Smart SLIPS demonstrating the anti-fouling switching mechanism. The stimuli of UV light or heat cause the SLIPS to switch its mechanism and release a lubricating layer that provides greater anti-fouling efficacy. [35]
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