Synthesis of raspberry-like polymer/SiO2 hybrid colloidal spheres grafted by block-copolymer poly(MPC-b-MPS) for underwater superoleophobic anti-biofouling coatings

Coatings with excellent underwater superoleophobic and anti-biofouling performances as well as self-repairing ability have been fabricated through the grafting of hydrophilic block copolymer on the raspberry-like polymer/SiO2 hybrid colloidal spheres. [Display omitted] Raspberry-like polymer/inorganic compound hybrid colloidal spheres have attracted tremendous interest owing to their many potential applications, but most of them are concentrated on synthesis methods, controlling structures and morphologies. Herein, we synthesize raspberry-like poly(ethyl methacrylate)/SiO2 colloidal spheres and further graft a hydrophilic diblock copolymer on the SiO2 nanoparticles. The obtained copolymer-grafted hybrid sphere-based coatings are robust and display excellent underwater superoleophobic and anti-biofouling performances as well as self-repairing ability.