TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schönemann, Eric
A1  - Laschewsky, Andre
A1  - Rosenhahn, Axel
T1  - Exploring the long-term hydrolytic behavior of zwitterionic polymethacrylates and polymethacrylamides
JF  - Polymers
N2  - The hydrolytic stability of polymers to be used for coatings in aqueous environments, for example, to confer anti-fouling properties, is crucial. However, long-term exposure studies on such polymers are virtually missing. In this context, we synthesized a set of nine polymers that are typically used for low-fouling coatings, comprising the well-established poly(oligoethylene glycol methylether methacrylate), poly(3-(N-2-methacryloylethyl-N,N-dimethyl) ammoniopropanesulfonate) (sulfobetaine methacrylate), and poly(3-(N-3-methacryamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammoniopropanesulfonate) (sulfobetaine methacrylamide) as well as a series of hitherto rarely studied polysulfabetaines, which had been suggested to be particularly hydrolysis-stable. Hydrolysis resistance upon extended storage in aqueous solution is followed by H-1 NMR at ambient temperature in various pH regimes. Whereas the monomers suffered slow (in PBS) to very fast hydrolysis (in 1 M NaOH), the polymers, including the polymethacrylates, proved to be highly stable. No degradation of the carboxyl ester or amide was observed after one year in PBS, 1 M HCl, or in sodium carbonate buffer of pH 10. This demonstrates their basic suitability for anti-fouling applications. Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylamide) proved even to be stable for one year in 1 M NaOH without any signs of degradation. The stability is ascribed to a steric shielding effect. The hemisulfate group in the polysulfabetaines, however, was found to be partially labile.
KW  - polyzwitterions
KW  - stability
KW  - polymer degradation
KW  - hydrolysis
KW  - polysulfobetaine
KW  - polysulfabetaine
KW  - anti-fouling materials
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10060639
SN  - 2073-4360
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  -