Preparation and properties of novel fishnet fibers with inhibitory effects on the adhesion of seaweeds.

A novel Nylon-6 fiber with the anti-adhesion of seaweeds was prepared for the use of fishnet by the technique of graft modification. The modification was performed by UV radiation-induced graft polymerization of Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) onto Nylon-6 fibers, and to form crosslinked PAA hydrogels on the surface of them. The structure of the anti-adhesion fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The mechanical properties and water retention capacity were measured, respectively. Three kinds of seaweeds (Chlorella, Dunaliella and Chrysophyte) were employed to evaluate the inhibitory effects on the adhesion. The results showed that Nylon-6 fibers modified by PAA hydrogels had a strong effect on the adhesion of the three kinds of seaweeds. The effects were improved with the increase of the grafting amount. Results from the mechanical analysis revealed that the tensile strength of the modified fibers decreased, however, the ratio of elongation increased with the increase of the grafting amount. The novel fibers also showed a good water retention capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]