Study on the Surface Structure and Properties of PDMS/PMMA Antifouling Coatings

Polydimethylsiloxane/ Poly (methyl methacrylates) copolymers (PDMS/PMMA) were synthesized by macromolecule initiation polymerization in the PDMS content (molar fraction) of 27.5%, 61.7%, 72.8% and 78%. The surface coatings of these copolymers were then prepared by spinning-coating technology and examined with AFM. The morphologies of the copolymer coatings demonstrated that all of the copolymers had island shape micro-phase separation structure. Both the size of the separation and the RMS value increased with the PDMS content increasing from 27.5% to 72.8% and then decreased when the PDMS content reached 78%. The less obvious phase separation for as prepared coatings were strengthened after annealing. In addition, the hydrophobic surface coating of PDMS/PMMA copolymer had a good resistance to protein and diatom adsorption, which is demonstrated by the water contact angle testing and adsorption experiment of BSA protein, nitzschia closterium minutissima. And the resistances of copolymer surfaces to protein and diatom adsorption increased after annealing treatment.