Coral-Inspired Biomimetic Hydrophilic Nano-PEEK Surface Reinforced by Fluorescence for Effective Antifouling Performance

Marine biofouling is a global challenge that severely compromises the service life of marine equipment, significantly increasing maintenance costs and causing substantial ecological damage. In this work, inspired by natural antifouling mechanisms, a bioinspired hydrophilic nanostructured poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) surface with fluorescence antifouling functionality was developed, producing a novel, efficient, broad-spectrum, and environmentally friendly antifouling mode. The bioinspired surface featured cicada-wing-inspired nanostructures on its top, which exerted mechanical bactericidal effects. Subsequently, a facile and stable nanoscale polyphenol network (NPN) layer was designed to encapsulate zwitterionic polymers and fluorescent response agents through simple one-step self-assembly anchoring on the nanostructure. The resultant antifouling PEEK surface exhibited excellent resistance against the adhesion of proteins, bacteria, and algae while simultaneously demonstrating high efficacy in the killing of adhered microorganisms. This novel fluorescent bioinspired hydrophilic nanostructured PEEK surface offers a new strategy for the development of marine, industrial, and biomedical equipment.