Dual-Mode Antifouling Ability of Thiol-Ene Amphiphilic Conetworks: Minimally Adhesive Coatings via the Surface Zwitterionization

A series of antibiofouling amphiphilic conet-work (APCN) coatings combined with zwitterionic features are engineered by surface zwitterionization of spontaneously segregated poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) segments, where this dual-mode surface integration of both passive and active modes improves the entire antifouling efficiency against the adsorption of proteins and a widespread marine fouling organism (Phaeodactylum tricornutum). A clear difference in surface morphology and topography before and after surface zwitterionization is ascribed to the transformation of PDMAEMA to carboxlbetaine zwitterion, which promotes the phase segregation and simultaneously accelerates the migration of hydrophilic segments toward the surface. The surface morphology evolved with hydrophilic content, and the variation trend of surface roughness before and after surface zwitterionization is exactly opposite under different hydrophilic content. With regard to structure antibiofouling relationships, the zwitterionic surface with heterogeneous morphology as well as higher zwitterion content exhibits superior antibiofouling efficiency. This design provides a novel methodology for the development of heterogeneous and zwitterionic antibiofouling conetwork, which will not only act as a breakthrough for the design and synthesis of next generation of efficient and eco-friendly antibiofouling coating but also expand the synthesis method of APCN so as to explore its application fields.