Well-controlled radical copolymerization of styrene with 2-[(perfluorononenyl)oxy] ethyl methacrylate and characterization of its copolymers

The atom transfer radical copolymerization of styrene with 2-[(perfluoronon enyl)oxy] ethyl methacrylate was performed in benzotrifluoride at 100 degre esC in the presence of 1-bromoethyl benzene (1-BrEB), cuprous bromide (CuBr ), and alpha,alpha ' -bipyridine (bpy; [1-BrEB](0)/[CuBr](0)/[bpy](0) = 1/1 /3). The experimental results demonstrate that this polymerization proceede d in a living fashion, producing fluorinated random copolymers with narrow polydispersities, controlled molecular weights, and desired unit ratios. Th e compositions of the copolymers were calculated from H-1 NMR spectra. The monomer reactivity ratios were obtained with the Skeist integral method. Th e copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, Fourier t ransform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry. The solid surface characteristics of the copolymers were evaluated with contact-angle measur ements. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.