A novel cross-linked copolymer containing hydrophobic perfluoropolyether and hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) units was synthesized and characterized. The anti-biofouling properties of the fluoropolymer were evaluated by laboratory assays using the fouling diatom Nitzschia and bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results from the preliminary study showed that this fluorinated copolymer has promising anti-biofouling performance.

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Synthesis, contact angle analysis, surface properties and biofouling characteristics of novel crosslinkable terpolymers with semifluoroalkyl substituted aromatic side chains have been described. These polymers are targeted for use as coatings to prevent marine biofouling. The marine antifouling properties of these materials were evaluated by laboratory assays employing the fouling diatom Nitzschia and ubiquitous Staphylococcus aureusi. Results indicated that the experimental coatings exhibited better antibiofouling performance than that of a standard Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) coating. POLYM. ENG. SCI.,

A series of novel amphiphilic alkanethiols used for preparation of nonbiofouling surfaces have been synthesized and characterized. Surface properties of the resultant self assembled layers have been studied by multiple characterization techniques, such as XPS, Grazing angle infrared spectroscopy (GA-FTIR) and contact angle measurements. The antifouling performance of surfaces grafted with terminally fluorinated alkanethiols were assayed employing the fouling diatom Nitzschia and ubiquitous Staphylococcus aureus. The results indicated that amphiphilic alkanethiol-grafted surfaces could effectively reduce the bacterial adhesion and settlement of the fouling diatom.