POSS and fluorine containing nanostructured block copolymer; Synthesis via RAFT polymerization and its application as hydrophobic coating material. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ponnupandian, Siva; Chakrabarty, Arindam; Mondal, Prantik; Hoogenboom, Richard; Lowe, Andrew B.; Singha, Nikhil K.
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 131(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Block copolymer -- RAFT polymerization -- Self-assembly -- Core-shell and lamellar morphology -- Hydrophobic coating; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Block copolymers (BCP) bearing POSS as well as fluoroalkyl functional groupswere prepared via RAFT polymerization. The BCPs self-assembled leading to different morphology when casted from different solvents. When cotton fabric or aluminium was coated with this BCP, it showed excellent hydrophobicitywith a water contact angle of 135°. Highlights: Block copolymers bearing fluoroalkyl as well as POSS functionality was prepared. BCPs showed core-shell as well as lamellar morphology which was induced by the choice of solvent. The water contact angle of the BCP also increased to 128°. BCPs showed higher water contact angle of ~135° on coating over cotton fibre. These tailor-made fluorinated BCP containing POSS moieties can have potential application as hydrophobic coating material. Abstract: Herein, the nanostructured block copolymers (BCPs) of fluorinated methacrylate and POSS-methacrylate were prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In this case, methacryloisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA ib POSS) was first polymerized using 2-cyano-2-propyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate (CPDTC) as a RAFT agent. Later, the poly(methacryloisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) (PMA ib POSS) was used as a macro-RAFT agent for the polymerization of 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) monomer. The BCPs were characterized via FT-IR, 1 H NMR and GPC analyses. The BCPs spontaneously self-assembled exhibiting core-shell and lamellar type nanostructures when deposited from different organic solvents like chloroform and THF, respectively. The nanostructured morphology of the BCPs was studied using SEM, TEM, AFM, and SAXS analyses. The prepared BCPs were coated over various substrates and their hydrophobicity was measured using water contact angle analysis. The coated substrates exhibited improved hydrophobicity with the water contact angle values as high as ~135°.