Precursors for forming heterophasic anti-fouling polymeric coatings

A method of treating an article comprising:

• (a) applying an aqueous precursor liquid to a surface of the article, wherein the aqueous precursor liquid comprises:
• a first fluorine-containing precursor having a functionality greater than about 2;
• a second precursor;
• a crosslinking agent comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of an amine moiety, a hydroxyl moiety, an isocyanate moiety, and a combination thereof;
• water;
• and
• optionally, an acid or a base;
• and
• (b) solidifying the aqueous precursor liquid to form an anti-fouling thermoset polymeric coating on the surface of the article, wherein the anti-fouling thermoset polymeric coating comprises:
• a first phase comprising a first fluorine-containing polymer formed from the first fluorine-containing precursor;
• and
• a second phase comprising a second component formed from the second precursor, wherein the second component is substantially immiscible with the first fluorine-containing polymer;
• wherein at least a portion of the first fluorine-containing polymer in the first phase and at least a portion of the second component in the second phase are bonded together with a moiety selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen-containing moiety, an oxygen-containing moiety, an isocyanate-containing moiety, and a combination thereof;
• and
• wherein the second phase is a continuous phase and the first phase is a discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a plurality of first domains each having an average size of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 25,000 nm;
• or
• wherein the first phase is the continuous phase and the second phase is the discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a plurality of second domains each having an average size of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 25,000 nm.

A heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating comprising:

• a first phase comprising a first fluorine-containing polymer component formed from at least a first fluorine-containing precursor having a functionality of greater than 2;
• and
• a second phase comprising a second component formed from a second precursor, wherein the second component is substantially immiscible with the first fluorine-containing polymer component, and at least a portion of the second component in the second phase is bonded together with a moiety selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen-containing moiety, an oxygen-containing moiety, an isocyanate-containing moiety, and a combination thereof, wherein the heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating is formed from an aqueous precursor comprising water, the first fluorine-containing precursor, and the second precursor;
• wherein the second phase is a continuous phase and the first phase is a discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a plurality of first domains each having an average size of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 25,000 nm;
• or
• wherein the first phase is the continuous phase and the second phase is the discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a plurality of second domains each having an average size of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 25,000 nm.