Transparent amphiphilic silicone-based fouling-release coatings: Analyzing the effect on coating-fouling interfacial behavior

The amphiphilic antifouling coatings are effective for inhibiting fouling adhesion. Herein, the amphiphilic coatings were prepared by introducing polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane (PE-PDMS). Uniform morphology, high transmittance, low surface roughness and amphiphilic property were obtained. PE-PDMS appearing as interspersed chains endowed the coating with amphiphilic characteristic. The artificial seawater promoted the migration of polyether to the surface. The protein adhesion force and quality were significantly reduced according to AFM-based colloidal probe technique and Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, respectively. The coating exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudoalteromonas xiamenensis (84.0%), Escherichia coli (69.2%) and Staphylococcus aureus (63.0%), respectively. 63.1% Halamphora. sp and 75.8% Nitzschia closterium f. had been inhibited, while the coatings possessed outstanding fouling release property with above 76.1% diatom detached after water exposure, proving that the amphiphilic parts weakened the adhesion of fouling. The mussel settlement assay confirmed that less adhesive plaques existed over the amphiphilic coatings. In addition, the expression for mussel adhesion proteins (mfp-5 and mfp-6) were significantly increased, demonstrating that amphiphilic polymers interfered with the adhesion response of the mussels. The effect on the interfacial behavior between fouling and coating is explored, providing a meaningful issue for the development of environmentally friendly antifouling coatings.