Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) network blends of amphiphilic acrylic copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol)-fluoroalkyl side chains for fouling-release coatings. II. Laboratory assays and field immersion trials.
Amphiphilic copolymers containing different amounts of poly(ethylene glycol)-fluoroalkyl acrylate and polysiloxane methacrylate units were blended with a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) matrix in different proportions to investigate the effect of both copolymer composition and loading on the biological performance of the coatings. Laboratory bioassays revealed optimal compositions for the release of sporelings of Ulva linza, and the settlement of cypris larvae of Balanus amphitrite. The best-performing coatings were subjected to field immersion tests. Experimental coatings containing copolymer showed significantly reduced levels of hard fouling compared to the control coatings (PDMS without copolymer), their performance being equivalent to a coating based on Intersleek 700™. XPS analysis showed that only small amounts of fluorine at the coating surface were sufficient for good antifouling/fouling-release properties. AFM analyses of coatings under immersion showed that the presence of a regular surface structure with nanosized domains correlated with biological performance.
Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale and UdR Pisa INSTM, Università di Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
Elisa
E
Martinelli
Mahesh K
MK
Sarvothaman
Giancarlo
G
Galli
Michala E
ME
Pettitt
Maureen E
ME
Callow
James A
JA
Callow
Sheelagh L
SL
Conlan
Anthony S
AS
Clare
Albert B
AB
Sugiharto
Cait
C
Davies
David
D
Williams
D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001681:Biological Assay; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties; D001468:Thoracica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D044445:Ulva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000179:Acrylates; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D011108:Polymers; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C036658:acrylic acid