Synergistic modification of self-healing silicone coatings with fluorocarbon and zwitterionic side chains for enhanced antifouling properties

This study introduces a novel method for enhancing the antifouling properties of self-healing silicone coatings through synergistic modification with fluorocarbon and zwitterionic side chains. A zwitterionic amphiphilic polymer chain extender, synthesized via chain transfer from 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 1H,1H,3H-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFBMA), was incorporated into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based polyurea matrix. The migration of zwitterionic moieties to the surface in aqueous environments facilitated the enrichment of fluorinated chains, creating an amphiphilic surface that effectively resisted protein adsorption and diatom attachment. The coating demonstrated superior antifouling performance, with a significant reduction in protein adsorption (up to 85.7 %) and diatom adhesion (over 86.9 %). Additionally, the coating exhibited excellent fouling-release properties, achieving a 73.1 % removal rate for settled diatoms under hydrodynamic conditions and reducing simulated pseudobarnacle removal strength by 72.6 %. The self-healing capability, driven by a dense hydrogen-bond network, further enhanced the coating's durability and mechanical properties. This work offers a new strategy for fabricating environmentally friendly, durable antifouling coatings for marine applications, highlighting the potential of novel amphiphilic coatings.