Design and synthesis of high-performance polymers with short perfluoroalkyl side groups using an environmentally friendly solvent. (5th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Qibao; Fu, Yong; Wang, Hu; Bai, Wei; Bai, Ruke
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 142(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-05
• Subjects: Fluorinated polymer -- Short perfluoroalkyl side group -- Environment friendliness -- Surface property -- Non-covalent interaction; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.110131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Synthesis of high-performance polymer with short perfluoroalkyl side groups. Short perfluoroalkyl polymers can be alternatives to long perfluoroalkyl polymers. Using an environmentally friendly solvent. Synergetic effect of hydrogen bond and π-π interaction can effectively improve the surface properties. Abstract: Since the polymers containing long-chain perfluoroalkyl groups (–Cn F2n+1, n ≥ 8) can cause harmful impacts on the environment, it is urgent to explore environmentally friendly fluorinated polymers as alternatives. In this study, a series of novel monomers, methacrylates bearing different spacers and short-chain perfluoroalkyl groups (–Cn F2n+1, n ≤ 6), were designed and synthesized. First, photopolymerizations of the monomers were examined under UV-irradiation and the polymer coatings on polycarbonate substrates were obtained by spin-coating and photopolymerization using an environmentally friendly solvent. Then, surface properties of the polymer coatings were investigated by contact angles and the results show that the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the polymers are highly related to their structures. When –CONH- and 1, 4-phenylene moieties were incorporated into the spacer between the main chain and the perfluoroalkyl group, the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity were significantly enhanced, which is attributed to hydrogen bond and π-π interaction between the side groups. Moreover, longer perfluoroalkyl groups can lead to higher hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the polymer coatings. The polymer containing –CONH–, 1, 4-phenylene, and –(CF2 )6 F possesses excellent hydrophobicity and oleophobicity, which are comparable with poly (perfluoroctylethyl methacrylate). The polymer coatings were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and polarizing optical microscopy. The results indicate that the combined effect of hydrogen bond and π-π interaction can effectively facilitate the orientation of the polymer chains to form a lamellar liquid crystalline structure, which can suppress the molecular mobility and significantly improve the surface properties of the polymers with short-chain perfluoroalkyl groups.