Macrophage-Inspired marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces based on regulation of dynamic covalent bonds

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2024-09, Vol.670, p.223-233
• Main Authors: Wang, Chao, Liu, Wenbin, Chen, Rongrong, Sun, Gaohui, Yu, Jing, Liu, Qi, Liu, Jingyuan, Li, Ying, Zhu, Jiahui, Liu, Peili, Wang, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antifouling; Bioinspired; Dynamic covalent bonds; Dynamic surfaces; Polyurethanes
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.089

Herein, inspired by the macrophage’s defensive behavior of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic covalent bonds. Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure attracts and disrupts microbe cell membrane and pili between intimate cells, resulting in excellent anti-biofouling effect. Moreover, the newly exposed coating then continues to break, which ultimately results in the peeling of the layers, thus making barnacles, mussels and other fouling organisms less likely to adhere. [Display omitted] •Macrophage-inspired marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared.•Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure offers excellent anti-fouling performance.•The newly exposed coating continues to break making it less likely that fouling organisms will adhere to it.•This study presents a novel methodology for fulfilling the technological gap of marine coatings with dynamic surface. Macrophages can kill bacteria and viruses by releasing free radicals, which provides a possible approach to construct antifouling coatings with dynamic surfaces that release free radicals if the breaking of dynamic covalent bonds is precisely regulated. Herein, inspired by the defensive behavior of macrophages of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating composed of polyurethane incorporating dimethylglyoxime (PUx-DMG) is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic oxime-urethane covalent bonds. The obtained alkyl radical (R·) derived from the cleavage of the oxime-urethane bonds manages to effectively suppress the attachment of marine biofouling. Moreover, the intrinsic dynamic surface makes it difficult for biofouling to adhere and ultimately achieves sustainable antifouling property. Notably, the PU50-DMG coating not only presents efficient antibacterial and antialgae properties, but also prevents macroorganisms from settling in the sea for up to 4 months. This provides a pioneer broad-spectrum strategy to explore the marine antifouling coatings.