Grafting polymer brushes on biomimetic structural surfaces for anti-algae fouling and foul release

Fei Wan, Xiaowei Pei, Bo Yu, Qian Ye, Feng Zhou, Qunji Xue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sylgard-184 silicone elastomer negative replica and resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) positive replica were made by biomimicking the patterns of natural Trifolium and three other kinds of leaves using the micromolding lithography. An effective antifouling (AF) polymer, poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) (PSPMA), was then grafted on these replica surfaces via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The AF property of the modified biomimetic surfaces was tested via the settlement assay with two microalgae in different sizes, and their fouling-release (FR) property was evaluated by the removal assay. The results indicate that the structure of microspines on Trifolium leaf can inhibit settlement of microalgae and facilitate the cell release. The AF property was improved by modification with PSPMA brushes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4557-4565
Number of pages9
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume4
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Sep 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antifouling
  • biomimetic
  • fouling-release
  • microalgae settlement
  • microstructure
  • polymer brush

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