Anti-biofouling coatings are being developed to reduce the negative impacts of fouling on marine vessels such as increased drag and fuel consumption, surface degradation, and maintenance costs. It is essential that these coatings be non-toxic to minimize harm to aquatic life while limiting fouling impact on marine surfaces. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based polymers have been effective for anti-biofouling because of their low modulus and surface tension but are hydrophobic and therefore must be functionalized with hydrophilic attachments or active fouling disruptors. Hard foulers such as mussels use acidic secretions to condition surfaces to low pH environments often found in biofilms before depositing adhesives. Using an organic buffer, such as 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) which buffers from pH 6.8 to 8.2, could maintain the pH of seawater on the surface thereby preventing the acidification and subsequent attachment of hard foulers. For that reason, this work explores the use of HEPES-functionalized PDMS-based copolymers for the fabrication of pH-controlled coatings. The surface properties of these coatings were tested through contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These coatings incorporating active organic buffers may find wide use in antifouling and other pH-sensitive applications.

Functionalized PDMS-based copolymers for pH controlled marine anti-biofouling coatings

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.