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Simple Preparation of Polydimethylsiloxane and Polyurethane Blend Film for Marine Antibiofouling Application
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Document Title
Simple Preparation of Polydimethylsiloxane and Polyurethane Blend Film for Marine Antibiofouling Application
Author
Chungprempree J, Charoenpongpool S, Preechawong J, Atthi N, Nithitanakul M
Name from Authors Collection
Affiliations
Chulalongkorn University; National Science & Technology Development Agency - Thailand; National Electronics & Computer Technology Center (NECTEC)
Type
Article
Source Title
POLYMERS
Year
2021
Volume
13
Issue
14
Page
-
Open Access
Green Published, gold
Publisher
MDPI
DOI
10.3390/polym13142242
Format
Abstract
A key way to prevent undesirable fouling of any structure in the marine environment, without harming any microorganisms, is to use a polymer film with high hydrophobicity. The polymer film, which was simply prepared from a blend of hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane elastomer and hydrophilic polyurethane, showed improved properties and economic viability for antifouling film for the marine industry. The field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (FESEM and EDX) results from the polymer blend suggested a homogenous morphology and good distribution of the polyurethane disperse phase. The PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film gave a water contact angle of 103.4 degrees +/- 3.8 degrees and the PDMS film gave a water contact angle of 109.5 degrees +/- 4.2 degrees. Moreover, the PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film could also be modified with surface patterning by using soft lithography process to further increase the hydrophobicity. It was found that PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film with micro patterning from soft lithography process increased the contact angle to 128.8 degrees +/- 1.6 degrees. The results from a field test in the Gulf of Thailand illustrated that the bonding strength between the barnacles and the PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film (0.07 MPa) were lower than the bonding strength between the barnacles and the carbon steel (1.16 MPa). The barnacles on the PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film were more easily removed from the surface. This indicated that the PDMS:PU blend (95:5) exhibited excellent antifouling properties and the results indicated that the PDMS:PU blend (95:5) film with micro patterning surface could be employed for antifouling application.
Funding Sponsor
Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund [CU_GR_63_48_63_03]; Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University
License
CC-BY
Rights
Authors
Publication Source
WOS