The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Marine fouling presents a significant challenge, increasing operational costs and raising environmental concerns. Effective control of marine fouling requires not only preventing the adhesion of marine organisms but also minimizing the adsorption of marine sediments. While hydrophilic polymers help prevent the adhesion of marine organisms, hydrophobic polymers are effective in reducing the adsorption of marine sediments. Consequently, there is a growing need for amphiphilic copolymers that integrate these opposing properties. This presentation will highlight the critical importance of achieving an optimal balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, as well as the beneficial role of random copolymer sequences in enhancing antifouling properties. Additionally, ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether acrylate is proposed as a promising hydrophobic monomer, capable of exhibiting a partial negative surface charge upon coating, thereby contributing to improved antifouling efficacy.