UV-curable hyperbranched poly(ester-co-vinyl) by radical ring-opening copolymerization for antifouling coatings

Hyperbranched polymers with high solubility, low viscosity, low crystallinity and dense functional groups are promising to be used in adhesives and coatings. In this study, we have developed a cleavable hyperbranched poly(ester-co-vinyl) with diethylene glycol units and unreacted pendant vinyl groups via radical ring-opening copolymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO), vinyl acetate (VAc) and diethylene glycol divinyl ether. Such a hyperbranched polymer with vinyl groups can form a crosslinked network by UV curing. The cleavable ester bonds are randomly distributed in the main chain, so they can degrade into small fragments with molar masses of 400–600 g mol−1. The degradation rate can be well regulated with MDO content. The protein resistance, antibacterial adhesion and anti-diatom activity of the hyperbranched polymer were examined. The polymer with diethylene glycol units exhibits remarkable antifouling abilities and can effectively inhibit the adhesion of protein, marine bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) and diatoms (Navicula incerta). The hyperbranched polymer coating can find application in marine antifouling.