Marine biofouling poses a significant threat to maritime infrastructure, resulting in increased fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and environmental pollution. Conventional antifouling coatings often rely on toxic biocides or passive resistance mechanisms, both of which suffer from limited durability and ecological concerns. To address these challenges, this study presents a self-regenerating zwitterionic polymer system designed to actively resist fouling while continuously renewing its surface through controlled degradation. The coating is based on a hyperbranched polymer synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, incorporating tertiary carboxybetaine ester acrylate with N-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)maleimide (TCB-TCPM) as the functional monomer.
Upon immersion in seawater, the TCB-TCPM groups hydrolyze, releasing the biocidal TCPM to kill adhered microorganisms—a “kill” function—while simultaneously generating zwitterionic carboxybetaine moieties that create a hydration layer capable of resisting protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion. This transformation enables a dynamic shift from a hydrophobic, attack-oriented surface to a hydrophilic, defense-oriented interface, without compromising structural stability. The key innovation lies in the use of cleavable methacrylic anhydride units as branching agents, which allow the polymer backbone to fragment into short oligomers under aqueous conditions. This intrinsic degradation leads to spontaneous surface renewal, releasing accumulated debris and exposing fresh antifouling functionalities.
The degradation behavior is tunable by adjusting the molar ratio of branching agent, with higher branching densities accelerating mass loss in artificial seawater. Despite this, the coatings maintain strong adhesion to epoxy substrates and high hardness even after 14 days of immersion. Surface characterization via atomic force microscopy reveals progressive roughening over time, consistent with controlled fragmentation.OTX2 Antibody MedChemExpress Contact angle measurements confirm the transition from hydrophobic (90°) to hydrophilic (45°), indicating successful zwitterion formation.PPP2R1B Antibody supplier X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) further verifies the enrichment of nitrogen-containing species at the surface, particularly positive nitrogen ions (N⁺), confirming the presence of zwitterionic groups.PMID:34406532
Protein adsorption studies using QCM-D show a dramatic reduction in fibrinogen binding after hydrolysis, highlighting the enhanced anti-adhesive performance. Biofilm assays with *Pseudomonas* sp. demonstrate minimal bacterial colonization on hydrolyzed surfaces, with live/dead staining revealing almost no viable cells attached. In contrast, unhydrolyzed samples exhibit high killing efficiency but lack long-term resistance. The synergy between initial contact-killing and sustained zwitterionic defense ensures persistent antifouling performance. Moreover, the absence of leaching agents and reliance on self-renewal make this system environmentally benign.
This work establishes a new paradigm for marine antifouling by integrating self-regeneration with dual-functionality—active killing and passive resistance—into a single, stable polymer architecture. The ability to operate autonomously in complex marine environments without external stimuli positions this technology as a promising alternative to traditional biocide-based systems. Future applications may extend to ship hulls, offshore platforms, and underwater sensors, offering durable, low-maintenance protection against biofouling.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com