Dale L. Handlin

Amphiphilic Surface Active Triblock Copolymers with Mixed Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Side Chains for Tuned Marine Fouling-Release Properties

Two series of amphiphilic triblock surface active block copolymers (SABCs) were prepared through chemical modification of two polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polyisoprene ABC triblock copolymer precursors. The methyl ether of poly(ethylene glycol) [M(n) approximately 550 g/mol (PEG550)] and a semifluorinated alcohol (CF(3)(CF(2))(9)(CH(2))(10)OH) [F10H10] were attached at different molar ratios to impart both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups to the isoprene segment. Coatings on glass slides consisting of a thin layer of the amphiphilic SABC deposited on a thicker layer of an ABA polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene thermoplastic elastomer were prepared for biofouling assays with algae. Dynamic water contact angle analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements were utilized to characterize the surfaces. Clear differences in surface structure were realized as the composition of attached side chains was varied. In biofouling assays, the settlement (attachment) of zoospores of the green alga Ulva was higher for surfaces incorporating a large proportion of the hydrophobic F10H10 side chains, while surfaces with a large proportion of the PEG550 side chains inhibited settlement. The trend in attachment strength of sporelings (young plants) of Ulva did not show such an obvious pattern. However, amphiphilic SABCs incorporating a mixture of PEG550 and F10H10 side chains performed the best. The number of cells of the diatom Navicula attached after exposure to flow decreased as the content of PEG550 to F10H10 side chains increased.

Fluorinated Amphiphilic Polymers and Their Blends for Fouling-Release Applications: The Benefits of a Triblock Copolymer Surface

Surface active triblock copolymers (SABC) with mixed polyethylene glycol (PEG) and two different semifluorinated alcohol side chains, one longer than the other, were blended with a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene (SEBS). The surface composition of these blends was probed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The surface reconstruction of the coatings in water was monitored qualitatively by dynamic water contact angles in air as well as air bubble contact angle measurements in water. By blending the SABC with SEBS, we minimize the amount of the SABC used while achieving a surface that is not greatly different in composition from the pure SABC. The 15 wt % blends of the SABC with long fluoroalkyl side chains showed a composition close to that of the pure SABC while the SABC with shorter perfluoroakyl side chains did not. These differences in surface composition were reflected in the fouling-release performance of the blends for the algae, Ulva and Navicula.

Antimicrobial Behavior of Semifluorinated-Quaternized Triblock Copolymers against Airborne and Marine Microorganisms

Semifluorinated-quaternized triblock copolymers (SQTCs) were synthesized by chemical modification of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polyisoprene ABC triblock copolymers. Surface characterization of the polymers was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) analysis. The surface of the SQTC showed very high antibacterial activity against the airborne bacterium Staphylococcus aureus with >99 % inhibition of growth. In contrast in marine fouling assays, zoospores of the green alga Ulva settled on the SQTC, which can be attributed to the positively charged surface. The adhesion strength of sporelings (young plants) of Ulva and Navicula diatoms (a unicellular alga) was high. The SQTC did not show marked algicidal activity.

Ring-opened metathesis polymers from cyclohexenylnorbornene and related Diels-Alder adducts of cyclopentadiene with vinyl and divinyl cyclohydrocarbons

5-(3-Cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-norbornene [CHNB] has been shown to form a very lightly crosslinked polymer (Tg = 127°C) with good elongation via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Based on swelling behavior with added norbornadiene dimer, the low crosslink density is ascribed to ≪0.5% participation by the cyclohexenyl ring. Compared to dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), CHNB polymerizations were less exothermic, required less catalyst, and exhibited greater molding latitude, which are advantageous for Reaction Injection Molding (RIM). Styrene-isoprene and styrene-ethylene/butylene block copolymers were effective impact modifiers for polyCHNB, forming large particle morphologies. Small rubber particles formed from styrene-butadiene block copolymers were not effective for impact enhancement of polyCHNB, in contrast to polyDCPD. Rubber-modified polyCHNB retained impact resistance four to six times longer than polyDCPD samples when aged in air at 50–70°C. Related RIM-ROMP of liquid monomer mixtures prepared by cyclopentadiene cycloadditions with 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene, cis-1,3-divinylcyclopentane, 3,5-divinylcyclopentene or cis-2,4-divinylbicyclo[3.3.0]oct-6-ene formed highly crosslinked, less ductile copolymers with Tgs as high as 206°C.