Charged hydrophilic polymer brushes and their relevance for understanding marine biofouling

Abstract

were no significant differences in biofouling coverage among the surfaces. While charged polymers are unsuitable as antifouling coatings in natural environment, they provide valuable insights into fouling processes, and are relevant for studies due to charging of nominally neutral surfaces.

Amphiphilic Polymer Platforms: Surface Engineering of Films for Marine Antibiofouling

“…Zwitterions, such as phosphobetaines, sulfobetaines and carboxybetaines, are charge-neutral hydrophilic compounds known for their ability to resist the adsorption of proteins and cells [130] as well as the settlement of micro-and macro-foulants. [131,132] The AF properties are generally attributed to the presence of a strong hydration layer which prevents the formation of a stable bond between the organism's adhesive and the substrate, given the inability to exclude a large volume of water molecules from the interface. [133] Although zwitterionic polymers have been reported to be non-toxic, [134] a few amphiphilic systems have been developed which consist of a zwitterionic polymer as the hydrophilic component.…”

Effect of Variations in Micropatterns and Surface Modulus on Marine Fouling of Engineering Polymers

“…19−21,47−49 Laboratory studies suggest that cyprids preferentially settle on the negatively charged surfaces, and the least settlement was observed on positively charged substrates. On the other hand, under natural field conditions, biofilms form very quickly and after 10 days, the direct effect of surface charges are obliterated; 50,51 although recent studies suggest that differences in surface properties may alter the biofilm community, 52 which in turn interacts with invertebrate fouling. 53 As confirmed by ζ-potential measurements (Figure S4 in the Supporting Information) and the literature data (Table 1), under the experimental conditions all polymers used for pattern replication in this study have negatively charged surfaces but possess different functional groups exposed.…”

Marine Fouling Resistance of Ulvan‐grafted Solid Surface

“…The non‐biofouling property can be attributable to the repulsive interaction between the ulvan‐grafted surface and marine diatoms. The cell wall of a marine diatom is known to be negatively charged . Therefore, the negatively charged ulvan‐grafted surface can hinder the diatom adhesion.…”