Engineering of Durable Antifog Thin Coatings on Plastic Films by UV-Curing of Proteinoid Prepolymers with PEG-Diacrylate Monomers

Abstract

Fog formation on transparent surfaces constitutes a major challenge in several optical applications, such as plastic packaging, lenses, mirrors, and windshields. To overcome this problem, we prepared and characterized durable antifog thin coatings on plastic films such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Proteinoids are biocompatible random polymers made of α-amino acids by thermal step-growth polymerization. Proteinoid prepolymers were prepared by adding activated double bonds to proteinoids via the Michael addition reaction. A series of thin antifog cross-linked coatings were prepared by spreading on PET films with a Mayer rod various mixtures of the proteinoid prepolymers, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, and a photoinitiator, followed by UV-curing of the dried coatings. The antifog properties of the coatings were determined by the contact angle, roughness, haze, and gloss measurements, as well as hot and cold fog tests, to examine the optical properties of the films under fog formation conditions. Mechanical properties such as adhesion, robustness, and abrasion resistance of the antifog coatings were examined by tape, knife-scratch, and sandpaper abrasion tests. The effect of coating composition, wettability, and roughness on the antifog properties of the coated PET films was elucidated. The formula was optimized, and the corresponding UV-cured antifog cross-linked thin coating exhibited transparency with good adhesion and excellent durable antifog performance.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(RGD) Proteinoid Polymers and NIR Fluorescent Nanoparticles of Optimal d,l-Configuration for Drug-Delivery Applications—In Vitro Study

“…Table 1 exhibits the molecular weights and polydispersity indices (PDIs) of the R d GD, R d GD d , RGD, and RGD d proteinoid polymers. The relative high molecular weights (67,660–69,066 Da) and the very narrow molecular weight monodispersity are not expected but fit to our previous publications 18 , 24 , 25 because common step-growth polymerization processes result in low-molecular-weight polymers with broad molecular weight polydispersity. 26 …”

Engineering of NIR fluorescent PEGylated poly(RGD) proteinoid polymers and nanoparticles for drug delivery applications in chicken embryo and mouse models

“…Table 1 exhibits the molecular weight and polydispersity indices (PDI) of the obtained P(R D GD). The relative high molecular weights (67 660 Da) and very narrow molecular weight monodispersity is not expected but ts to our previous publications, 17,26,27 since commonly step-growth polymerization processes result in low molecular weight polymers with broad molecular weight polydispersity. 28 The P(R D GD) proteinoid was characterized by FTIR spectrometer and UV-Vis spectroscopy.…”

Comparison of three low-cost techniques to control fogging of sealed eyewear in a simulated operating room environment: A preliminary analysis

“…Among the simple methods to prevent fogging of the eyewear, a variety of methods including the application of surfactant liquid, converting the eyewear to a filtered eye mask by creating vents sealed with N95 mask cutting and use of anti-fog glasses or anti-fog coating have been described. 6 , 9 , 12 , 13 However, the actual effectiveness of these methods which perform the operative procedures remains unknown. We tested three inexpensive modifications on a disposable sealed poly-hydrocarbon based protective eyewear and found that the detergent-based liquid surfactant was effective in maintaining the workable vision for as long as 2 h. The PET material based anti-fog film although prevented fogging for long but failed to provide the workable vision required for a simulated surgical task.…”

“… 11 Therefore, a low-cost modification of the hermetically sealed protective eyewear that can prevent fogging is desirable in the current times. Plastic films such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with surface modifications, 12 surfactant sprays, 6 , 13 and addition of N95 mask cutting to the air vents of the sealed eyewear 9 are some attractive low-cost modifications to prevent fogging of the viewing frames. However, their effectiveness in a real surgical scenario or a simulated operating room environment with the aforestated modified parameters has not been tested.…”