Design of a star-like hyperbranched polymer having hydrophilic arms for anti-biofouling coating

Abstract

A simple method for anti-biofouling coating based on a star-like hyperbranched polymer having hydrophilic arms.

Modification of a Polymer Surface by Partial Swelling Using Nonsolvents

“…11−13 Also, in some cases, a swollen layer is formed just beneath the diffused interface, depending on the type of nonsolvents. 11,15 A similar phenomenon also occurs for other polymers such as acrylate-, 19−21 vinyl ether-, 22−24 ethylene oxide-, 25,26 and oxazoline-based 27,28 polymers in contact with water as a nonsolvent. Consequently, chain dynamics at the nonsolvent interface are well enhanced, 12,19,29−31 drastically affecting the material's functions.…”

“…In these applications, a nonsolvent is used as a liquid. However, the aggregation states and physical properties of polymer chains are generally affected by the sorption of even nonsolvent molecules, especially in the interfacial region. − For example, the outermost surface of a typical glassy polymer, poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), in contact with nonsolvents such as methanol and water is diffused compared to the air-facing surface because chain segments can be partially dissolved in the liquid phase. − Also, in some cases, a swollen layer is formed just beneath the diffused interface, depending on the type of nonsolvents. , A similar phenomenon also occurs for other polymers such as acrylate-, − vinyl ether-, − ethylene oxide-, , and oxazoline-based , polymers in contact with water as a nonsolvent. Consequently, chain dynamics at the nonsolvent interface are well enhanced, ,,− drastically affecting the material’s functions. − …”

A Facile Surface Functionalization Method for Polymers Using a Nonsolvent

“…Surface modification of polymer materials without impairing their bulk properties is a crucial functionalization strategy for the promotion of their wider application. − For example, the construction of a bioinert polymer surface, which inhibits and/or suppresses nonspecific adsorption and adhesion of biological components, is necessary to develop various devices such as vascular grafts, ophthalmologic apparatus, and dialyzers used in the biomedical field. , In most cases, bioinert polymers are water-soluble like poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG), − poly­(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine), − and poly­(vinyl ether) derivatives. − Such chains must therefore be securely attached onto a solid support to prevent them dissolving in the aqueous phase.…”

“…A typical strategy for the immobilization of water-soluble polymers is based on the introduction of water-insoluble units into the polymer, which act as an anchor to the support. − ,, Other strategies are based on covalent grafting techniques using certain initiators for polymerization or at specific reactive sites introduced at the support surface, called “grafting from” and “grafting to” methods, respectively. ,− These methods are based on precise chemical synthesis, and various kinds of grafting surface modifiers for polymers have been developed hitherto. However, such methods applicable to versatile polymeric materials are still quite limited.…”

Design of a Bioinert Interface Using an Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Containing a Bottlebrush Unit of Oligo(oxazoline)

“…This means that although the surface of the PMMA- b -P­[O­(Ox)­MA] film was covered with PMMA, it became more hydrophilic in water. Also, the bubble contact angle against the PMMA- b -P­[O­(Ox)­MA] film remained almost unchanged up to 24 h. Thus, it can be claimed that the environmental responsibility and the durability of the film were better for PMMA- b -P­[O­(Ox)­MA] than for a hyperbranched polymer with bottlebrush chains . To provide further evidence to support the above hypothesis that structural rearrangement was induced by contacting with water, the surface chemical composition was examined by angular-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ADXPS).…”