Self-regenerating zwitterionic hyperbranched polymer with tunable degradation for anti-biofouling coatings

Regeneration of zwitterionic surfaces is a promising strategy to combat biofouling. In this study, we have prepared degradable hyperbranched anti-biofouling polymers of methyl methacrylate, tertiary carboxybetaine ester (TCB), and divinyl monomers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The degradation rate of such polymers is a function of the content or type of divinyl monomers. As the content of methacrylic anhydride (MAAH) increases, the degradation rate of the polymer becomes faster; whereas, a change of the divinyl monomers causes the degradation rate to follow a descending order: N,N '-adipic bis(diacetone acrylamide hydrazone) (DAA2H) > MAAH > ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Antibacterial and antidiatom assays show that the coatings inhibit the adhesion of the marine bacteria Pseudomonas sp. and the diatom Navicula incerta. The polymeric coating is expected to be applied in marine anti-biofouling.

Automated summary

Degradable hyperbranched anti-biofouling polymers synthesized via RAFT polymerization exhibit inhibitory effects on marine bacteria and diatom adhesion, showing potential for marine anti-biofouling applications.