Abstract
ABSTRACTSurfaces of cationically modified zwitterionic phosphorylcholine (PC) copolymer prepared by spin coating were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle. The obtained PC films bearing cationic charge densities were used to investigate the effect of electrostatic interactions on the adhesion behavior of marine fouling diatom Nitzschia closterium MMDL533. Results show that the settlement of N. closterium MMDL533 cells increases with the positive choline fragment contents in the copolymers. Upon exposure to 8.5‐Pa wall shear stress for 2 minutes, the percentage removals of the settled cells on choline containing films were significantly lower than those on the neutral PC1036 films, indicating that the electrostatic attraction between N. closterium MMDL533 cells and the cationic modified PC films could promote the diatom settlement and improve diatom adhesion strength. There were more aggregates adhered on the PC films as compared with the hydroxylated glass slides, which might result from their higher surface hydrophobicity and more heterogeneous surfaces. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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