MXene/Ag-Based Zwitterionic Double-Network Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Antifouling Performances

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Marine Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Marine biofouling poses significant challenges to the maritime industry.
• Hydrogels offer promising antifouling solutions but often suffer from poor mechanical properties and limited antifouling mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust and effective antifouling hydrogel with enhanced mechanical strength and multi-modal antifouling capabilities.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of incorporated nanomaterials and biocides on antifouling performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a double-network hydrogel using sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA)-acrylamide (AM) and sodium alginate (SA).
• Grafting of MXene/Ag (M/Ag) nanoparticles and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) into the hydrogel matrix.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties (tensile strength) and antifouling efficacy against protein adhesion, bacteria, and algae.

Main Results:

• The developed double-network hydrogel (DN-M/Ag-PHMB) exhibited high tensile strength (5.8 MPa).
• MXene/Ag (M/Ag) demonstrated a significant bactericidal effect (99.9%).
• The hydrogel showed remarkable resistance to protein adhesion, bacterial colonization, and algal attachment across all biofouling stages.

Conclusions:

• The DN-M/Ag-PHMB hydrogel presents a superior combination of mechanical robustness and comprehensive antifouling activity.
• This advanced hydrogel represents a promising green material for mitigating marine biofouling in diverse maritime applications.