Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CH
2
CH
CH
2
CH
*
*
95
185
CH
3
CH
2
O
C
O
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
4
CF
2
CF
2
5
F
Figure 2.20
Self-assembly of block copolymers with liquid crystalline semi-
luorinated alkyl side chains
The advance from hydrophilic PEGylated coatings is the bio-inspired polymers.
This polymer consists of methoxy-terminated PEG (mPEG) conjugated to the adhesive
amino acid, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) (
Figure 2.21
) [84]. This polymer
coating was inspired by the blue mussel (
Mytilus edulis
) adhesive proteins known as
mussel adhesive proteins. The mPEG-tri-DOPA modiied titanium surfaces showed a
reduction in the attachment of
Navicula
and zoospores of
Ulva
. They also exhibited
the highest release of attached cells under low when compared to test control surfaces.
Thus, these bio-inspired polymers could be very eficient in marine anti-fouling [84].
PEGylated polymers may be very useful in anti-fouling coatings because they are
among the best protein resistant surfaces and have long-term stability in biological
environments [10].
