Charge Delocalization Modulates Zwitterionic Surface Hydration and Antifouling Performance

ORAL

Abstract

Polymeric zwitterions exhibit exceptional fouling resistance through formation of a strongly hydrated surface of immobilized water molecules. While extensively tested for application-specific performance, the characteristics of this hydration layer and the role of molecular design on broad fouling resistance remain unclear. This work identifies charge delocalization as a key parameter affecting the hydration structure and dynamics around polymeric zwitterions. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy reveals that diffuse zwitterions form more hydrated surfaces with improved marine fouling resistance. Meanwhile, Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) relaxometry shows that charge screening accelerates surface water dynamics, with more dense zwitterions approaching bulk water dynamics.

* This research was primarily supported by the Office of Naval Research awards N00014-16-1-2960, N00014-20-1-2248, N00014-20-1-2152, N00014-20-1-2234, and N00014-23-1-2127. This work made use of the Cornell University NMR Facility, which is supported, in part, by the NSF through MRI award CHE-1531632. Polymer post-functionalization leveraged shared experimental facilities supported by the NSF MRSEC program under Award No. DMR 1720256. SDM acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (DGE 2139319).

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Publication: "Diffusely charged polymeric zwitterions as loosely hydrated marine antifouling coatings." Mengel, S. D.; Guo, W.; Wu, G.; Finlay, J. A.; Allen, P.; Clare, A. S.; Medhi, R.; Chen, Z.; Ober, C. K.; Segalman, R. A. Langmuir, submitted.

Presenters

  • Shawn Mengel

    University of California, Santa Barbara

Authors

  • Shawn Mengel

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • WEN GUO

    University of Michigan Ann Arbor

  • Guangyao Wu

    University of Michigan Ann Arbor

  • John A Finlay

    Newcastle University

  • Zhan Chen

    University of Michigan Ann Arbor

  • Peter Allen

    Newcastle University

  • Anthony S Clare

    Newcastle University

  • Riddhiman Medhi

    University of Scranton

  • Christopher K Ober

    Cornell University

  • Rachel A Segalman

    University of California, Santa Barbara