Polysulfone and polyacrylate-based zwitterionic coatings for the prevention and easy removal of marine biofouling
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND (United States)
A series of polysulfone and polyacrylate-based zwitterionic coatings were prepared on epoxy-primed aluminum substrata and characterized for their antifouling (AF) and fouling-release (FR) properties towards marine bacteria, microalgae and barnacles. The zwitterionic polymer coatings provided minimal resistance against bacterial biofilm retention and microalgal cell attachment, but facilitated good removal of attached microbial biomass by exposure to water-jet apparatus generated hydrodynamic shearing forces. Increasing the ion content of the coatings improved the AF properties, but required a stronger adhesive bond to the epoxy-primed aluminum substratum to prevent coating swelling and dissolution. Grafted poly(sulfobetaine) (gpSBMA), the most promising zwitterionic coating identified from microfouling evaluations, enabled the removal of four out of five barnacles reattached to its surface without incurring damage to their baseplates. As a result, this significant result indicated that gpSBMA relied predominately on its surface chemistry for its FR properties since it was very thin (~1–2 µm) relative to commercial coating standards (>200 µm).
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Technologies Office (EE-4W)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1235355
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2015-9130J; 608009
- Journal Information:
- Biofouling, Vol. 31, Issue 7; ISSN 0892-7014
- Publisher:
- Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Similar Records
Maximizing the grafting of zwitterions onto the surface of ultrafiltration membranes to improve antifouling properties
Molecular Simulations of the Hydration Behavior of a Zwitterion Brush Array and Its Antifouling Property in an Aqueous Environment