Effects of surface-active block copolymers with oxyethylene and fluoroalkyl side chains on the antifouling performance of silicone-based films. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martinelli, Elisa; Gunes, Deniz; Wenning, Brandon M.; Ober, Christopher K.; Finlay, John A.; Callow, Maureen E.; Callow, James A.; Di Fino, Alessio; Clare, Anthony S.; Galli, Giancarlo
• Is Part Of: Biofouling. Volume 32:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Antifouling coating -- fouling-release coating -- surface-active polymer -- block copolymer -- Ulva linza -- Balanus amphitrite; Marine fouling organisms -- Periodicals; Materials -- Biodeterioration -- Periodicals; Fouling -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Environmental Microbiology -- Periodicals; Water Microbiology -- Periodicals; 576.165
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2015.1131822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-7014

Abstract

Abstract: Block copolymers made from a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (Si) and a poly(meth)acrylate carrying oxyethylene (EG) or fluoroalkyl (AF) side chains were synthesized and incorporated as surface-active components into a silicone matrix to produce cross-linked films with different surface hydrophilicity/phobicity. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) studies showed that film surfaces containing Si-EG were largely populated by the siloxane, with the oxyethylene chains present only to a minor extent. In contrast, the fluorinated block was selectively segregated to the polymer–air interface in films containing Si-AF as probed by NEXAFS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Such differences in surface composition were reflected in the biological performance of the coatings. While the films with Si-EG showed a higher removal of both Ulva linza sporelings and Balanus amphitrite juveniles than the silicone control, those with Si-AF exhibited excellent antifouling properties, preventing the settlement of cyprids of B. amphitrite .