Developing polyimide-copper antifouling coatings with capsule structures for sustainable release of copper

Publication date: 15 September 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 130
Author(s): Yi Liu, Xinkun Suo, Zhe Wang, Yongfeng Gong, Xin Wang, Hua Li
Polyimide-copper layers consisting of individual capsule-like splats were one-step fabricated by solution precursor flame spray through controlling the reaction between dianhydride and diamine dissolved in copper nanoparticles-containing dimethylformamide solvent. The polyimide splat exhibited hollow structure with an inner pore of 10–15μm and a tiny hole of 1–5μm on its top surface. Transversal cut by focused ion beam milling of the individual splats and scanning electron microscopy characterization further revealed unique dispersion of the copper nanoparticles inside the polyimide shell. After 1000h exposure to the testing synthetic seawater, continuous release of copper from the coatings containing up to 30wt%Cu kept remarkable. Antifouling performances of the constructed layers were assessed by examining colonization behaviors of typical bacteria Bacillus sp. and marine algae Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Chlorella on their surfaces. Distribution of the inorganic nanoparticles endows the polyimide coatings with special capsule structure and exciting hydrophobicity and antifouling performances. The liquid flame spray route and the encapsulated structure of the polyimide-Cu coatings would open a new window for designing and constructing environment-friendly marine antifouling layers for long-term applications.

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