Amphiphilic Dicyclopentenyl/Carboxybetaine-Containing Copolymers for Marine Fouling-Release Applications.

Zwitterionic materials received great attention in recent studies due to their high antifouling potential, though their application in practical coatings is still challenging. Amphiphilic polymers have been proven to be an effective method to combat fouling in the marine environment. This study reports the incorporation of small amounts of zwitterionic carboxybetaine methacrylate (CBMA) into hydrophobic ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether acrylate (DCPEA). A new set of copolymers with varying amphiphilicities was synthesized and coated on chemically modified glass substrates. The antifouling capabilities were assessed against the diatom