Fabrication of MXene-SPMA@Ag composite hydrogels with enhanced antimicrobial and mechanical properties for antifouling applications

Hydrogels show great potential for marine antifouling, but their low mechanical strength and limited antifouling effectiveness hinder their broader application. Herein, the 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium (SPMA) polymer brushes layer was grafted onto MXene, followed by in situ reduction to form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with an average particle size of about 10 nm. The resulting 0D/2D MXene-SPMA@Ag nanosheets exhibit effective antifouling capabilities, with antibacterial and algal removal rates exceeding 90 %. Meanwhile, composite antifouling hydrogels were developed by incorporating functionalized nanosheets into the hydrogel matrix. The incorporation of MXene-SPMA@Ag significantly enhanced mechanical strength, anti-swelling behavior, and friction reducing properties of the hydrogels. Compared to the blank hydrogel, the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel were significantly improved, with the tensile strength increasing from 99 KPa to 238 KPa and the strain rising from 517 % to 861 %. In addition, MXene-SPMA@Ag/Gel showed excellent antifouling performance, with an antimicrobial activity approaching 100 % and an algae removal rate exceeding 90 %. These improvements were attributed to the synergistic effect between the MXene-SPMA@Ag nanosheets and the hydrogel.