Nitroxide-Containing Amphiphilic Random Terpolymers for Marine Antifouling and Fouling-Release Coatings

Two types of amphiphilic random terpolymers, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)-ran-poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy methacrylate)-ran-poly(polydimethyl siloxane methacrylate) (PEGMEMA-r-PTMA-r-PDMSMA), were synthesized and evaluated for antifouling (AF) and fouling-release (FR) properties using diverse marine fouling organisms. In the first stage of production, the two respective precursor amine terpolymers containing (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate) units (PEGMEMA-r-PTMPM-r-PDMSMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using various comonomer ratios and two initiators: alkyl halide and fluoroalkyl halide. In the second stage, these were selectively oxidized to introduce nitroxide radical functionalities. Finally, the terpolymers were incorporated into a PDMS host matrix to create coatings. AF and FR properties were examined using the alga Ulva linza, the barnacle Balanus improvisus, and the tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus. The effects of comonomer ratios on surface properties and fouling assay results for each set of coatings are discussed in detail. There were marked differences in the effectiveness of these systems against the different fouling organisms. The terpolymers had distinct advantages over monopolymeric systems across the different organisms, and the nonfluorinated PEG and nitroxide combination was identified as the most effective formulation against B. improvisus and F. enigmaticus.