Aqueous-Based Fabrication of Low-VOC Nanostructured Block Copolymer Films as Potential Marine Antifouling Coatings

Abstract

The ability to fabricate nanostructured films by exploiting the phenomenon of microphase separation has made block copolymers an invaluable tool for a wide array of coating applications. Standard approaches to engineering nanodomains commonly involve the application of organic solvents, either through dissolution or annealing protocols, resulting in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this paper, an aqueous-based method of fabricating low-VOC nanostructured block copolymer films is presented. The reported procedure allows for the phase transfer of water insoluble triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-block-2 vinylpyridine-block-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO), from a water immiscible phase to an aqueous environment with the assistance of a diblock copolymeric phase transfer agent, poly(styrene-block-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO). Phase transfer into the aqueous phase results in self-assembly of PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO into core-shell-corona micelles, which are characterized by dynamic light scattering techniques. The films that result from coating the micellar solution onto Si/SiO2 surfaces exhibit nanoscale features that disrupt the ability of a model foulant, a zoospore of Ulva linza, to settle. The multilayered architecture consists of a pH-responsive P2VP-"shell" which can be stimulated to control the size of these features. The ability of these nanostructured thin films to resist protein adsorption and serve as potential marine antifouling coatings is supported through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and analysis of the settlement of Ulva linza zoospore. Field trials of the surfaces in a natural environment show the inhibition of macrofoulants for 1 month.

Direct measurement of interaction forces between bovine serum albumin and poly(ethylene oxide) in water and electrolyte solutions

“…Considering that bacteria adhere to surfaces via adhesins that are comprised of proteins and/or polysaccharides, it has been of great interest to study the intermolecular interaction between proteins and the protective polymer coating [5,8,11,19,24,25]. However, if the PEO brush architecture is accomplished with flaws and nanoscale heterogeneities, these may induce bacterial fouling and cell adhesion long before protein adsorption occurs, see for instance [21].…”

A Review on Applications of Superhydrophobic Materials in Civil Engineering

“…The cathodic protection technique relies on metal or current to play a protective role, which virtually increases the cost and energy consumption. [163][164][165] Therefore, the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly and nontoxic marine corrosion and biological pollution control strategies has become an urgent need. [156] Water repellency and adhesion resistance properties of the SHPB surface can inhibit the direct contact between materials and water, and effectively inhibit the corrosion and microbiological adhesion.…”

Well-shaped poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based copolymer nanowires from spherical micelles via kinetic shape evolution

“…Over the past decade, the self-assembly of block copolymers in solution has attracted considerable attention because nanostructured particles can be obtained in a highly reproducible manner. [1][2][3] Many well-defined nanostructures self-assembled by block copolymers have achieved excellent chemical and physical properties in applications such as functional coatings (antifogging, 4 antifouling, [5][6][7] etc. ), drug delivery, 8 and other fields.…”