Polyion multilayers with precise surface charge control for antifouling.

We report on a molecular fabrication approach to precisely control surface ζ potentials of polymeric thin layers constructed by electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly methods. The protocol established allows us to achieve surface isoelectric points (IEP) in the pH range of 6-10. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA, a weak polyanion) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC, a strong polycation) were chosen to build up the bulk films.

Biomimicking micropatterned surfaces and their effect on marine biofouling.

When synthetic materials are submerged in marine environments, dissolved matter and marine organisms attach to their surfaces by a process known as marine fouling. This phenomenon may lead to diminished material performance with detrimental consequences. Bioinspired surface patterning and chemical surface modifications present promising approaches to the design of novel functional surfaces that can prevent biofouling phenomena.

Sulfobetaine-based polymer brushes in marine environment: is there an effect of the polymerizable group on the antifouling performance?

Three different zwitterionic polymer brush coatings for marine biofouling control were prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of sulfobetaine-based monomers including methacrylamide (SBMAm), vinylbenzene (SBVB) and vinylimidazolium (SBVI). None of these brush systems have been assessed regarding marine antifouling performance. Antifouling tests performed indicate that surfaces featuring these three brush systems substantially reduce the adhesion of the marine microalgae, Amphora coffeaeformis, and the settlement of cyprid larvae of the barnacle, Amphibalanus amphitrite, in a similar way, displaying comparable performance.

Reef sponges of the genus Agelas (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the Greater Caribbean.

The genus Agelas comprises a group of tropical and subtropical reef sponges that contains large, long-lived, often brightly colored and conspicuous species, distributed throughout the tropica l western Atlantic, temperate northern Atlantic (Mediterranean Sea), and western and central Indo-Pacific Realms. Among tropical sponge genera, Agelas is one with similar species richness in the Greater Caribbean in comparison to the Indo Pacific. The presence of verticillated acanthostyle spicules and a fibroreticulate skeleton of spongin fibres cored and/or echinated by spicules characterize this group.