Zwitterionic polymers have been widely promoted as effective antifouling agents due to the often-observed resilience of surfaces modified with zwitterionic moieties to the adhesion of proteins and microbial organisms. Nevertheless, a deep understanding of the relationship between zwitterion structure and fundamental properties, such as the degree of hydration or solubility, remains lacking. This project entails a systematic study of the interactions between zwitterionic polymers and surrounding water molecules, as conveyed by the chain dimensions of polyzwitterions in aqueous environments, measured via Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). By extracting and contrasting the effective solvent quality of polyzwitterions with different side chain chemistries, a clear relationship between zwitterion structure and solvent interactions will be established. Following comparison with observations from foulant adhesion studies will elucidate the connection between surface hydration and foulant repulsion, allowing for better design of anti-biofouling materials.

Summary of planned analyses of collected scattering data: <b>(a)</b> scattering data are fitted using the Guinier approximation to determine radius of gyration <i>R</i><sub>g</sub>; <b>(b)</b> obtained values of <i>R</i><sub>g</sub> at various concentrations are extrapolated to infinite dilution; <b>(d)</b> extrapolated <i>R</i><sub>g</sub> values are plotted against the known molecular weights in a double logarithmic plot, and the slope of these points quantifies the solvent quality for a specific polymer; <b>(c) </b>the solvent quality trend across all polymers studied will be compared with the findings from corresponding foulant adhesion studies.

Summary of planned analyses of collected scattering data: (a) scattering data are fitted using the Guinier approximation to determine radius of gyration R_g; (b) obtained values of R_g at various concentrations are extrapolated to infinite dilution; (d) extrapolated R_g values are plotted against the known molecular weights in a double logarithmic plot, and the slope of these points quantifies the solvent quality for a specific polymer; (c) the solvent quality trend across all polymers studied will be compared with the findings from corresponding foulant adhesion studies.

Angelika Neitzel

University of Chicago

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