Controlling surface dipole via applying current through conductive polyurethane-based organic/inorganic film to prohibit biofouling

Abstract

We develop a new type of antifouling platform via the hybridization of conductive materials – carbon black (Ketchen black) and polypyrrole in inductively separated manner – and a non-conducting polyurethane, which was realized upon casting a coating with three components mixed in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The antifouling performance of the platforms was controlled by applying current on their surfaces. The antifouling performance was analyzed in terms of the removal efficacy of sticky mucin from the platforms that showed electrical conductivity. The optimized platforms were empirically established with varying mixing weight ratio of three components in the coatings, which were cast into films on glass Petri dishes. In the best antifouling performance condition, the carbon black phases would be well formulated on top of films that were interpreted based on Lifshitz–van der Waals and Lewis Acid–Base. The conductivity of carbon black accumulated on top of the surface enabled effective dipole separation at the surface upon current application, finally resulting in the removal of the surface-attached sticky mucin moiety.