Switching surface polarity: synthesis and characterization of a fluorinated block copolymer with surface-active tert-butoxycarbonyl groups

The surface behavior of a series of block copolymers constructed from poly( styrene-b-semifluorinated side-chain modified isoprene) copolymer was evalu ated. The semifluorinated side groups were attached in a postpolymerization step. The presence of tert-butoxy carbonyl end groups permitted conversion of the polymer surface from a non-polar hydrocarbon to a polar hydroxylate d structure. The microstructure of these block copolymers was investigated using both electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray diffraction. The surfa ce properties of the as-prepared polymer films were dominated by the fluori nated block and were found to be independent of the underlying block copoly mer microstructure. After removal of the tert-butoxy carbonyl end groups, a disordered, polar surface was produced. The surface properties of these fi lms were studied using contact angle measurements and other surface analysi s techniques. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.