Nano-CeO₂-Loaded Polyzwitterionic Double-Network High-Strength Hydrogel for Highly Enhanced Synergistic Marine Antifouling

Abstract

Although many antibiofouling materials have been developed based on either bacterial-killing or antiadhesion effects, the integration of both the effects in one material remains challenging for achieving highly enhanced synergistic antibiofouling. In this study, we have explored a nano-CeO2-loaded double-network hydrogel by introducing CeO2 nanorods into a polyzwitterionic hydrogel via a simple one-pot method for achieving highly efficient antifouling. First, the CeO2 nanorods dispersed in the hydrogel, as an outstanding nanozyme, have highly efficient bacterial-killing performance. Second, the superhydrophilic polyzwitterionic hydrogel provides a dense hydrated layer on the surface and subsequently excellent broad-spectrum antiadhesion behavior. Most importantly, the bacterial killing and antiadhesion of this hydrogel can work synergistically to largely improve the marine-antifouling performance. Moreover, the double-network structure of this hydrogel, including the covalently cross-linked polyzwitterion hard network and the physically cross-linked poly­(vinyl alcohol) soft network, can provide greatly improved mechanical properties (2.44 MPa of tensile strength reaches and 21.87 MPa of compressive strength). As a result, among the existing marine-antifouling hydrogels, the CeO2-loaded polyzwitterionic double-network hydrogel can achieve outstanding antifouling performance, which can sustain for over 6 months in a real marine environment. This work provides a promising marine-antifouling hydrogel, which will also inspire antifouling research of a new strategy and materials.

High-Strength Antibacterial Textiles Using Basalt Fibers Grafted with ZIF-8

“…Not only the above, MOFs have a bacteriostatic effect through contact between bacteria and surface metal ions, a mechanism known as Tweedy’s chelation theory . It is worth mentioning that MOFs also affect bacteria by photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species. − The bacteriostatic effect and antibacterial mechanism of ZIF-8 is mainly attributed to the fact that the photogenerated electrons produced by ZIF-8 in LMCT under the catalysis of sunlight effectively activate O 2 to form • O 2 – and H 2 O 2 , which can oxidize pathogenic bacteria to death …”

Fabrication of Poly(ionic liquid) Hydrogels Incorporating Liquid Metal Microgels for Enhanced Synergistic Antifouling Applications

“…Some nanomaterials possess both antifouling activity and physical strength simultaneously; thus, the integration of nanomaterials endows the hydrogels with preferable antifouling performance, along with enhanced mechanical strength . Xiong et al have prepared nano-CeO 2 -based double-network hydrogels by incorporating CeO 2 nanorods into hydrogels, and the as-prepared composite antifouling hydrogels show significant improvement in mechanical properties, demonstrating a tensile strength of 2.44 MPa and a compressive strength of 21.87 MPa . Therefore, fabrication of nanocomposite hydrogel coatings represents an effective method to improve their antifouling abilities.…”

“…Although hydrogels have garnered significant interest as an antifouling material, their inadequate mechanical properties significantly limit their application in marine antifouling. , To tackle this challenge, researchers employ various strategies to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels, including topological hydrogels, ion-cross-linked hydrogels, double-network (DN) hydrogels, and nanoparticle composite hydrogels . Wang et al developed zwitterionic polymer-modified dual-cross-linked hydrogels by incorporating Fe 3+ to enhance the cross-linking density, the composite hydrogels demonstrated satisfactory antifouling efficacy against microalgae along with robust mechanical performance .…”

Ultratough Zwitterionic Hydrogel Achieved by Micellar and Dynamic Bonding for Self-Adhesive Strain Sensor

“…Due to the coexistence of interchain hydrogen bonds, chemical cross-linking by micelles, and electrostatic interactions, the obtained hydrogel displayed a tensile strength up to 2.72 MPa and elongation up to 2125%, which are better than most of the reported zwitterionic hydrogels (Scheme b and Table S1). ,,− ,− No other chemical cross-linkers were needed here. The prepared hydrogel (20 mm × 10 mm × 5 mm) could lift a weight of 500 g, which directly illustrated its excellent mechanical property.…”