UV-CURABLE SYSTEMS CONTAINING PERFLUOROPOLYETHER STRUCTURES - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

The synthesis of new functionalised macromers containing perfluoropoly ether structures (PFPE) is reported. They are obtained by reaction of bis-CH2OH terminated PFPE with isocyanato-ethyl methacrylate (EIM), gi ving rise to the formation of perfluoropolyether bisurethane methacryl ate (PFEUMA) oligomers. The products are characterised by NMR and FTIR analyses. The thermal behaviour reveals two amorphous phases, corresp onding to the fluorinated and the hydrogenated moieties, while a cryst alline phase can be present depending on the macromer structure. The f unctionalised macromers are UV-cured in the presence of a photoinitiat or and the complete disappearance of the double bonds is obtained. The cured films are characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (D SC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) confirming the pres ence of a multiphasic structure. Moreover the optical properties and t he surface properties of the cured systems are investigated and discus sed.