Noradrenaline-Functionalized Hyperbranched Fluoropolymer–Poly(ethylene glycol) Cross-Linked Networks As Dual-Mode, Anti-Biofouling Coatings

Abstract

The strategy of decorating antibiofouling hyperbranched fluoropolymer-poly(ethylene glycol) (HBFP-PEG) networks with a settlement sensory deterrent, noradrenaline (NA), and the results of biofouling assays are presented. This example of a dual-mode surface, which combines both passive and active modes of antibiofouling, works in synergy to improve the overall antibiofouling efficiency against barnacle cyprids. The HBFP-PEG polymer surface, prior to modification with NA, was analyzed by atomic force microscopy, and a significant distribution of topographical features was observed, with a nanoscopic roughness measurement of 110 ± 8 nm. NA attachment to the surface was probed by secondary ion mass spectrometry to quantify the extent of polymer chain-end substitution with NA, where a 3- to 4-fold increase in intensity for a fragment ion associated with NA was observed and 39% of the available sites for attachment were substituted. Cytoskeletal assays confirmed the activity of tethered NA on adhering oyster hemocytes. Settlement assays showed deterrence toward barnacle cyprid settlement, while not compromising the passive biofouling resistance of the surface. This robust strategy demonstrates a methodology for the incorporation of actively antibiofouling moieties onto a passively antibiofouling network.

Amphiphilic Polymer Platforms: Surface Engineering of Films for Marine Antibiofouling

“…On the one hand, the combination of PEG and HBFP generated passive AF surfaces with topographic features at the nanoscale and amphiphilicity. On the other hand, the incorporation of NA units actively enhanced the ability of the entire system of inhibiting the settlement of barnacle larvae with respect to unmodified HBFP‐PEG surfaces . The investigation was extended to an array of HBFP‐PEG compositions in order to optimise the physical‐chemical properties and the antifouling performances .…”

The impact of coating hardness on the anti-barnacle efficacy of an embedded antifouling biocide

“…Thus, the activity or bioavailability of ivermectin is obviously already present when the barnacles are juvenile and not able to depress the coating to any great extent. Tethered biocides mainly been investigated mainly for antimicrobial coatings (Green et al 2011;Kugel et al 2011), but a few studies have evaluated the concept for marine antifouling (Majumdar et al 2011;Coneski et al 2012;Imbesi et al 2012). The majority of the studies include the tethering of quaternary ammonium salts to the surface.…”

“…The majority of the studies include the tethering of quaternary ammonium salts to the surface. The study by Imbesi et al (2012) was conceptually different in that noradrenaline (NA) was immobilized to hyperbranched fluoropolymer-poly(ethylene glycol) cross-linked networks, which demonstrated reduced settlement of barnacle cypris larvae as a consequence of NA incorporation. The study by Imbesi et al has some similarities with the present study; in both studies, molecules directed towards specific receptors were employed, adrenergic in the case of NA and glutamate-gated chloride channels (Glu-HCl) in the case of ivermectin (Cully et al 1994;Kane et al 2000).…”

Synthesis of superhydrophobic fluorinated polystyrene microspheres via distillation precipitation polymerization

“…It is necessary to design and synthesize prepolymer with unique structure and morphology with the subsequent techniques for the formation of rough surface. Fluoropolymer is a type of special polymer with remarkable characteristics, including low friction coefficient, good chemical stability, dielectric property, and low surface energy, which has been widely utilized as optical material [9], packaging [10], fouling resistance [11], coating material [12], and superhydrophobic material [13,14].…”