Universal Coatings Based on Zwitterionic–Dopamine Copolymer Microgels

Multifunctional coatings that adhere to chemically distinct substrates are vital in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, construction, petrochemical, biomedical, and pharmaceutical. We design well-defined, nearly monodisperse microgels that integrate hydrophobic dopamine methacrylamide monomers and hydrophilic zwitterionic monomers. The dopamine functionalities operate as both intraparticle cross-linkers and interfacial binders, respectively providing mechanical strength of the coatings and their strong adhesion to different substrates. In tandem, the zwitterionic moieties enable surface hydration to empower antifouling and antifogging properties. Drop-casting of microgel suspensions in ambient as well as humid environments facilitates rapid film formation and tunable roughness through regulation of cross-linking density and deposition conditions.