ABSTRACT
We present a method for dual-mode-management of biofouling by modifying surface of silicone elastomers with zwitterionic polymeric grafts. Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) was grafted from poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) elastomer substrates using thiol-ene click chemistry and surface-initiated, controlled radical polymerization. These surfaces exhibited both fouling resistance and triggered fouling-release functionality. The zwitterionic polymers exhibited fouling resistance over short-term (â¼hours) exposure to bacteria and barnacle cyprids. The biofilms that eventually accumulated over prolonged-exposure (â¼days) were easily detached by applying mechanical strain to the elastomer substrate. Such dual-functional surfaces may be useful in developing environmentally and biologically friendly coatings for biofouling management on marine, industrial, and biomedical equipment because they can obviate the use of toxic compounds.
Subject(s)
Biofouling , Polymers/chemistry , Silicone Elastomers/chemistry , Bacteria/drug effects , Bacterial Adhesion , Biofilms/drug effects , Ions , Photoelectron Spectroscopy , Polymerization , Polyvinyls/pharmacology , Siloxanes/pharmacology , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
This paper describes the use of poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) (PVMS) networks for fabricating microfluidic channels that resist swelling in the presence of organic solvents, thus providing a versatile alternative to poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). In particular, we demonstrate that in contrast to PDMS microchannels, the UV-treated PVMS structures exhibit high resistance to swelling by toluene.