Fig. 1.

(a-c) The efficacy of PEO to resist biofouling relies on its enrichment at the surface-water interface where biofouling occurs. (d) Herein, silicones were bulk-modified with PEO-silane amphiphiles of variable siloxane tether length (m) and their anti-biofouling behavior compared to each other as well as to silicones bulk-modified with a PEO-control (i.e. a conventional PEO-silane lacking a siloxane tether). Results were compared to surface-grafted analogues that also included a siloxane-control (i.e. no PEO-segment).