Amphiphilic block copolymer/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) blends and nanocomposites for improved fouling-release

E Martinelli, M Suffredini, G Galli, A Glisenti, Michala Pettitt, Maureen Callow, James Callow, D Williams, G Lyall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

101 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers, Sz6 and Sz12, consisting of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) block (average degree of polymerisation 132) and a PEGylated-fluoroalkyl modified polystyrene block (Sz, average degree of polymerisation = 6, 12) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Coatings were obtained from blends of either block copolymer (1-10 wt%) with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix. The coating surface presented a simultaneous hydrophobic and lipophobic character, owing to the strong surface segregation of the lowest surface energy fluoroalkyl chains of the block copolymer. Surface chemical composition and wettability of the films were affected by exposure to water. Block copolymer Sz6 was also blended with PDMS and a 0.1 wt% amount of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT). The excellent fouling-release (FR) properties of these new coatings against the macroalga Ulva linza essentially resulted from the inclusion of the amphiphilic block copolymer, while the addition of CNT did not appear to improve the FR properties.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)529-541
Number of pages13
JournalBiofouling
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2011

Keywords

  • carbon nanotubes
  • fluorinated polymer
  • Ulva
  • fouling-release
  • amphiphilic polymer
  • nanocomposite

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