Fouling release UV cured coatings

Biofouling is the undesirable accumulation of organic compounds or microorganisms on wet surface. This phenomenon is relevant in a wide range of applications as biomedical implants or device, food packaging and storage, biosensors, water purification systems, marine and industrial equipments. One of the main emergent strategies is the prevention of biofoulants attachment is the use of adhesion-resistant (or fouling-release) surfaces [1,2]. In this work fouling-release ability of different UV-cured polymeric films are compared. Multi and mono functional acrylic and methacrylic oligomers with hydrogenated or perfluoropolyether (PFPE) structures were used in different ratios. The antifouling properties of the coatings were tested in vitro with yeast and were related with their mechanical and surface properties.