Title: UV-Curable Hyperbranched Poly(ester-co-vinyl) by Radical Ring-opening Copolymerization for Antifouling Coatings

Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers with high solubility, low viscosity, low crystallinity and dense functional groups are promising to be used in adhesives and coatings. In this study, we have developed a cleavable hyperbranched poly(ester-co-vinyl) with diethylene glycol unit and unreacted pendant vinyl group via radical ring-opening copolymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO), vinyl acetate (VAc) and diethylene glycol divinyl ether. Such hyperbranched polymer with vinyl groups can form a crosslinked network by UV curing. The cleavable ester bonds are randomly distributed in the main chain so they can degrade into small fragments with molar masses of 400–600 g/mol. The degradation rate can be well regulated with MDO content. The protein resistance, antibacterial adhesion and anti-diatom of the hyperbranched polymer were examined. The polymer with diethylene glycol units exhibits remarkable antifouling abilities and can effectively inhibit the adhesion of protein, marine bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) and diatoms (Navicula incerta). The hyperbranched polymer coating can find applications in marine antifouling.

文章链接：https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/py/d1py00810b