Amine end-functionalized poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) as promising coating material for antifouling applications

The antifouling behavior of different poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) coatings was investigated under "real live" conditions. Amine end-functionalized PEtOx of different molar masses have been prepared using a new and straightforward, two step synthesis method. Subsequently, the PEtOx were attached to glass surfaces via a tetraether lipid and a common silane, respectively. The polymers and coatings were characterized using techniques such as ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF-MS as well as XPS and contact angle measurements. In a next step, the coatings were exposed to the simultaneous attack of five different bacteria in synthetic river water. A clear reduction of the biofilm formation was observed. In addition, the stability of the coatings against thermal, mechanical, and chemical stress was studied.