Relationship between the polyurea underlayer structure and PEG surface coverage

Abstract

Increasing the surface coverage of antifouling materials is essential to enhance the performance of antifouling coatings. In this study, polyurea thin-film underlayers were fabricated by co-depositing difunctional isocyanates with difunctional or trifunctional amines. The relationships among the underlayer structure, terminal group density before polyethylene glycol (PEG) termination, and PEG surface coverage were investigated. The results showed that employing trifunctional amines in the underlayer led to increased terminal group density before PEG termination. Moreover, the reduced hydrogen-bonding capability between the polyurea molecules contributes to enhanced PEG surface coverage.