Anti-biofouling properties of comblike block copolymers with amphiphilic side chains

S Krishnan, R Ayothi, A Hexemer, John Finlay, R Perry, CK Ober, EJ Kramer, Maureen Callow, James Callow, DA Fischer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

301 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Surfaces of novel block copolymers with amphiphilic side chains were studied for their ability to influence the adhesion of marine organisms. The surface-active polymer, obtained by grafting fluorinated molecules with hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks to a block copolymer precursor, showed interesting bioadhesion properties. Two different algal species, one of which adhered strongly to hydrophobic surfaces, and the other, to hydrophilic surfaces, showed notably weak adhesion to the amphiphilic surfaces. Both organisms are known to secrete adhesive macromolecules, with apparently different wetting characteristics, to attach to underwater surfaces. The ability of the amphiphilic surface to undergo an environment-dependent transformation in surface chemistry when in contact with the extracellular polymeric substances is a possible reason for its antifouling nature. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) was used, in a new approach based on angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to determine the variation in chemical composition within the top few nanometers of the surface and also to study the surface segregation of the amphiphilic block. A mathematical model to extract depth-profile information from the normalized NEXAFS partial electron yield is developed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5075-5086
Number of pages12
JournalLangmuir
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 May 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Anti-biofouling properties of comblike block copolymers with amphiphilic side chains'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this