Acrylic polyester resins containing perfluoropolyethers structures: Synthesis, characterization, and photopolymerization

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone-b-perfluoropolyether-b-epsilon caprolactone) (PCL -PFPE-PCL) block copolymers having different PCL block lengths and end-capp ed with methacrylate groups were prepared and characterized. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed the expected molecular structure of the products. After UV curing, the films revealed the presence of two amorphous phases, corresp onding to fluorinated and hydrogenated moieties, respectively. The material containing long PCL blocks showed also a crystalline phase. Surface proper ties of the UV-cured films were evaluated: The surfaces have a very high hy drophobic character in spite of the presence of many polar OH groups presen t in the polymeric network and a high hysteresis in wetting. An enrichment of fluorine at the air-side surface was shown by contact-angle measurements , except when long PCL sequences are present. The theta(adv) angles decreas ed by increasing the content of PCL, that is, by decreasing the content of fluorine. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.