Polymer brushes prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) and their antifouling properties

Abstract

Poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) polymer as a thermo-responsive coating was synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) on glass substrates. The effects of chain grafting density and polymerization time on the fouling release behavior of a marine diatom were investigated. The PNIPAAm grafting and its thermo-responsiveness were confirmed by different analyses such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and water contact angle (WCA). Three-way ANOVA analysis reveals that all parameters, including polymerization time, UV irradiation time, and temperature are significant. The results show that by lowering the temperature below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAAm, the microorganisms wholly detached from the surface. Therefore, PNIPAAm can release marine microorganisms, and it can be a suitable and environmentally friendly alternative for toxic antifouling coatings.