Ultralow surface energy plasma polymer films

Room-temperature pulsed plasma polymerization of long-chain perfluoroacryla tes produces well-adhered liquid-repellent (hydrophobic and oleophobic) fil ms. Critical surface tension values as low as gamma(c) = 4.3 mN m(-1) have been measured on coated flat glass substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectros copy, Fourier transform infrared, and atomic force microscopy characterizat ion of these surfaces indicates that the low surface energy perfluoroalkyl chains remain intact, while polymerization occurs predominantly via the acr ylate carbon-carbon double bond during the plasma duty cycle off-period.