PREPARATION AND SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF ACRYLIC POLYMERS CONTAINING FLUORINATED MONOMERS

A series of novel polymers have been prepared by free radical solution polymerization of a variety of hydrocarbon monomers with the (perfluo roalkyl)ethyl methacrylate monomer H2C=C(CH3)CO2(CH2)(2)(CF2)(n)F, 1 ( (n) over bar approximate to 7.1). Polymers prepared using two differen t methods of feeding 1 into the reaction mass are discussed. Through a judicious choice of reaction conditions, some control of polymer arch itecture was exhibited. The resultant (perfluoroalkyl)ethyl methacryla te-containing acrylic polymers were shown to be quite surface active i n the solid state. The magnitude of surface activity depends on the mo nomer 1 feed method. The polymers were formulated into thin films and applied to a variety of surfaces. With levels at 1.5 wt % of 1, water and oil repellent surfaces were created. Water contact angles (advanci ng) of similar to 80-115 degrees and hexadecane contact angles (advanc ing) of similar to 60-70 degrees were observed routinely. In addition, it was observed that the concentration profile of fluorine in the fil ms exhibited a steep gradient normal to the surface when studied by an gle-dependent ESCA and secondary ion mass spectroscopic depth profilin g.