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

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

The formation of self-assembled arrays or superstructures from copolymers has attracted intense research interest. Herein, we propose a kinetic approach to form self-assembled nanowires using a PDMS-based block copolymer consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly[2-(cinnamoyloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMS-b-PCEMA). The copolymer was synthesized by using the macroinitiator PDMS-Br to initiate 2-(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMA-TMS) via ATRP, followed by hydrolysis of the TMS group and gradual esterification with cinnamoyl chloride. PDMS-b-PCEMA presented core-shell spherical micelles in tetrahydrofuran, which transformed into nanowires within 5 days self-assembly via a typical kinetic shape evolution. The diameter of the assembled nanowires with a PCEMA inner core and PDMS shell was about 25-35 nm. The formation of these nanowires reflected a balance between the PDMS and PCEMA components: the PDMS segment was soluble enough to form a corona block, which was beneficial for the transformation of the micellar shape. Meanwhile, the PCEMA segment was able to control the diameter of the nanowire micelles but had no decisive effect on their formation. The effect of solvents on the self-assembled micelles indicated that nanowires were formed in tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane, while core-shell micelles were formed in acetone. This was due to the different permittivities of these solvents. The nanowires were fixed by cross-linking the PCEMA group under UV irradiation, which enhanced their stability. We believe that this work provides a new strategy for the formation of nanowires and offers a guide for the diversified self-assembly of nanostructures from copolymers.

Synthesis and Properties of Self-Polishing Antifouling Coatings Based on BIT-Acrylate Resins

Painting antifouling coatings is one of the most important methods to prevent marine biofouling. Acrylic resin is widely used in marine antifouling because of its excellent stickiness, water resistance, and film-forming capabilities. At present, the widely used acrylate antifouling coatings require a high concentration of cuprous oxide as antifoulant. The release and accumulation of copper ions are the main factors affecting the marine environment. In this study, BIT–allyl methacrylate (BM) and zinc acrylate (ZM) were selected as functional monomers copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) to prepare a series of BIT acrylate antifouling resins. The inhibitory effects of all resins against marine bacteria (S. aureus, V. coralliilyticus, and V. parahaemolyticus), marine algae (Chlorella, I. galbana, and C. curvisetus), and barnacle larvae were studied. Moreover, marine field tests on the BIT modified resin in coastal waters were conducted. The results demonstrate that the grafted BIT–zinc acrylate resin not only exhibits excellent antifouling properties but also a significant self-polishing performance, providing a novel strategy to design a long-term antifouling resin with stable antifoulant release.

Morphology modulation and performance optimization of nanopetal-based Ag-modified Bi2O2CO3 as an inactivating photocatalytic material

The use of photocatalytic technology to kill bacteria on marine vessel surface coatings has been paid more attention by research scholars. In this paper, petal-like microspheres with Ag nanoparticles were prepared by a simple one-step process combining the hydrothermal method and photodeposition. The 0.7% Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ composite photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency for bacterial removal under visible light irradiation and had the highest photogenerated carrier separation efficiency, and the sterilization rate was doubled compared with that of pure Bi₂O₂CO₃, reaching 95%. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the existence of Ag nanoparticles was confirmed, and their size was approximately 10 nm. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Ag nanoparticles was investigated by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). It was shown that the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag improved the spectral utilization of the Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ composite photocatalyst and enhanced the stability of the catalyst. This caused the Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ composite photocatalyst to have superior photocatalytic activity to pure Bi₂O₂CO₃. The results of electrochemical impedance characterization and transient photocurrent response show that 0.7% Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ has a high efficiency of photogenerated carrier separation. By the free radical capture test, hydroxyl radicals were the primary active substance, and Ag⁺ improved the photocatalytic sterilization activity.

Improvement of anticorrosion ability of epoxy matrix in simulate marine environment by filled with superhydrophobic POSS-GO nanosheets

Super-hydrophobicity polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-modified graphene oxide (POSS-GO) was synthesized by one-step reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-NH₂). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicated that the POSS were successfully connected to the edge and surface of GO nanosheets. Scanning probe microscope (SPM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images demonstrated that the POSS-GO with a thickness of 1.58 nm presented a stably dispersion in anhydrous ethanol. Results from electrochemical behaviors showed that the proper incorporation of POSS-GO could availably improve the anticorrosion ability of epoxy based coatings in simulate marine environment (3.5 wt% NaCl solution). The good dispersion of POSS-GO helped to fill the original defect and enhanced the complication of penetration path. The super-hydrophobicity of POSS-GO was beneficial to the reduction of actual contact zone. The synergistic effect of good dispersion and super-hydrophobicity promoted the enhancement of anticorrosion ability for composite coatings.

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

The net interaction between a probe tip coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein and a flat substrate coated with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer was measured directly on approach in water and electrolyte solutions using AFM. The approach force curve between the two surfaces was monotonically repulsive in water and in electrolyte solutions. At pH ~5, slightly above the isoelectric point (pI) of BSA, and at large distances, the force was dominated by electrostatic repulsion between the oxygen atoms of the incoming protein with those belonging to the ether groups of PEO. Such repulsive force and range decreased in NaCl. Under physiological conditions, pH 6, BSA is definitely charged and the electrostatic repulsion with ether groups in PEO appears at larger separation distances. Interestingly, at pH 4, below the pI of BSA, the repulsion decreased because of an attractive, although weak, electrostatic force that appeared between the ether groups in PEO and the positively charged amino groups of BSA. However, for all solution conditions, once compression of PEO begun, the net repulsion was always dominated by short-range polymeric steric repulsion and repulsive enthalpy penalties for breaking PEO-water bonds. Results suggest that PEO in mushroom conformation may also be effective in reducing biofouling.

Synthesis and antibiofouling properties of crosslinkable copolymers grafted with fluorinated aromatic side chains

To obtain highly effective antifouling coatings, ternary copolymers grafted with short fluoroalkyl or perfluoropolyether modified fluorinated aromatic side chains and cross-linkable functional groups were prepared via radical polymerization.