Contribution of Charges in Polyvinyl Alcohol Networks to Marine Antifouling

Abstract

Semi-interpenetrated polyvinyl alcohol polymer networks (SIPNs) were prepared by integrating various charged components into polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Contact angle measurement, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and tensile tests were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of the prepared SIPNs. To investigate the contribution of charges to marine antifouling, the adhesion behaviors of green algae Dunaliella tertiolecta and diatoms Navicula sp. in the laboratory and of the actual marine animals in field test were studied for biofouling assays. The results suggest that less algae accumulation densities are observed for neutral-, anionic-, and zwitterionic-component-integrated SIPNs. However, for the cationic SIPNs, despite the hydration shell induced by the ion-dipole interaction, the resistance to biofouling largely depends on the amount of cationic component because of the possible favorable electrostatic attraction between the cationic groups in SIPNs and the negatively charged algae. Considering that the preparation of novel nontoxic antifouling coating is a long-standing and cosmopolitan industrial challenge, the SIPNs may provide a useful reference for marine antifouling and some other relevant fields.

Multipurpose Antifouling Coating of Solid Surfaces with the Marine‐Derived Polymer Fucoidan

“…In addition to the abovementioned single-component materials, multi-component materials have been designed and synthesized as highly efficient antifouling materials. [22,23] For example, Zhou et al systematically investigated the synergistic effects of combining hydroxyl-abundant polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic polymers on their antifouling performance. [22] They found that the incorporation of anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic components into PVA enhances the material's antifouling performance against marine algae.…”

“…[22,23] For example, Zhou et al systematically investigated the synergistic effects of combining hydroxyl-abundant polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic polymers on their antifouling performance. [22] They found that the incorporation of anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic components into PVA enhances the material's antifouling performance against marine algae. Xu et al also synthesized multi-component antifouling materials, zwitterionfunctionalized PEG, and succeeded in preparing antifouling surfaces to which proteins, bacteria, and microalgae can hardly attach.…”

“…Many attempts have been made to develop antifouling materials, and as a result, various types of antifouling materials, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), polysaccharides, zwitterionic polymers, and fluorinated polymers, have been successfully developed. In addition to the abovementioned single‐component materials, multi‐component materials have been designed and synthesized as highly efficient antifouling materials . For example, Zhou et al.…”

“…For example, Zhou et al. systematically investigated the synergistic effects of combining hydroxyl‐abundant polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic polymers on their antifouling performance . They found that the incorporation of anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic components into PVA enhances the material's antifouling performance against marine algae.…”

Aza‐Michael Addition Chemistry for Tuning the Phase Separation of PDMS/PEG Blend Coatings and Their Anti‐Fouling Potentials

“…One major category of antifouling coatings prevents biofoulants from approaching the surface, while the other type weakens the adhesion bonding attached to a surface and allows easy removal with low shear stress for biofoulants, widely known as foulingrelease coatings. More specifically, detailed practices range from surface grafting of hydrophilic polymer brushes (e.g., nonionic, zwitterionic polymers) [1,2] to hydrophilic polymeric networks, [3] polymer coatings incorporating antifoulants, [4,5] hydrophobic fluorogel elastomers, [6] polysiloxane based coatings, [5] self-replenishing coatings, [7] and other nanocomposites with nano/microscale topographies. [8,9] Currently, engineering of surfaces from microphase segregated amphiphilic polymer systems, which combine both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in one entity, has been constantly gaining attention and recognized as one promising functionalization strategy in various applications including, biocompatible medical implants, devices for biorecognition processes, texturing substrates for supermolecular assemblies, [10,11] and membrane separation processes.…”