Fabrication and antifouling behavior research of self-healing lubricant impregnated films with dynamic surfaces

Abstract

To repel the unwanted fouling organisms, various strategies were developed. During these methods, most static antifouling surfaces can not effectively deter the adhesion of marine biofouling in the long term. In this study, self-healing acrylate boron fluorinated polymer films (SABFPs) with dynamic surfaces were facilely prepared by mixing perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant with acrylate boron fluorinated polymer (ABFP) by ultrasonic dispersion. The self-healing mechanism was investigated by analyzing the film thickness change and the distribution of elements under different conditions. Weight loss measurement demonstrated the self-replenishing lubricant and self-polishing polymer surfaces constitute the dynamic surfaces, which reduce the adhesion of fouling organisms in a significant extent. Moreover, the prepared samples exhibited outstanding abrasion performance. Advantageously, this study provided a simple method for preparing marine antifouling films under environmentally friendly conditions.