In this paper, two series of poly(sulfobetaine
methacrylate)-b-poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PSBMA-b-PLMA)
diblock copolymers were prepared to investigate the core–shell
reversion of amphiphilic copolymers. Experimental results proved that
the PSBMA-b-PLMA copolymers can be self-assembled
as core–shell nanoparticles in chloroform. Moreover, 1H NMR spectra and contact angle measurements revealed that there
is a transitional PSBMA/PLMA block ratio of 0.6, above which the nanoparticles
are capable of switching their core and shell in aqueous solution.
Consequently, nanoparticles with PSBMA/PLMA block ratios above 0.6
showed superior antifouling and antibacterial abilities to those with
block ratios below 0.4. Moreover, it was also found that the block
chain length plays an important role in core–shell reversion
as evidenced by 1H NMR spectra, water contact angle, and
antifouling tests. As a result, coatings fabricated with the PLMA100 series of nanoparticles showed better antifouling abilities
than those of the PLMA150 series at the same block ratio
probably because of the thinner shell of PLMA100 copolymers.
PSBMA100-b-PLMA100 was proved
to be the best candidate for the fabrication of antifouling coatings
as it exhibited the highest efficacy in antibacterial adhesion and
antiprotein adsorption. This study provided a facile method to fabricate
antifouling coatings by developing amphiphilic diblock copolymers
with tuned hydrophobic/hydrophilic block ratio, block chain length,
etc.
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