Application of a cold plasma process for polymerization and copolymerization of fluorinated and hydrogenated (meth)acrylates

The fluorinated monomers 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorodecyl acrylate (AC8) an d methacrylate (MAC8), and an hydrogenated monomer isodecyl acrylate (ISO) were polymerized by using a low pressure Microwave (MW) plasma process. Rea ctions were carried out on monomer films (200-600 mu m) and were monitored by (HMR)-H-1 spectroscopy by following the evolution of the vinylic protons . Effects of inhibitor, photoinitiator, power of the MW generator, depth of films on the kinetics of homopolymerization were investigated. Our results show that a classical radical mechanism is respected and that the reactivi ty follows the order AC8 > ISO > MAC8. Copolymerization of AC8 with isodecy l acrylate was also studied and values of the reactivity ratios determined by the Fineman-Ross method. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.