Switchable antifouling coatings and uses thereof

DWPI Title: Treatment of marine surface by applying antifouling coating comprising onium cation covalently attached to alpha-carbon of switchable polymer on marine surface or its portion, and treating coating with heat or UV light to release cation
Abstract: The present invention relates to antifouling coatings capable of being switched by using heat or ultraviolet light. Prior to switching, the coating includes an onium cation component having antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Upon switching, the coating is converted to a conjugated polymer state, and the cationic component is released with any adsorbed biofilm layer. Thus, the coatings herein have switchable and releasable properties. Methods of making and using such coatings are also described.
Use: Method for treating marine surface (claimed), including surface of powerbuoy, wave attenuator, tidal turbine, ship hull, boat hull, submarine hull, propeller, rudder, keel, centerboard, fins, or hydrofoil.
Advantage: The antifouling coating facilitates removal of dead organisms and accumulated biofilm.
Novelty: Treatment of marine surface comprises applying first antifouling coating comprising onium cation covalently attached to α -carbon of switchable polymer on marine surface or its portion; and treating the first coating with heat or UV light to release cation, thus maintaining polymerized layer on marine surface. The polymerized layer comprises conjugated form of switchable polymer. The antifouling coating has releasable and switchable properties.
Filed: 1/16/2017
Application Number: US15407164A
Tech ID: SD 13195.1
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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