Synthesis, self-assembly of perfluoropolyether based ABA-triblock copolymers for superhydrophobic surface applications

A series of poly (isobornyl methacrylate)-perfluoropolyether-poly (isobornyl methacrylate) (PIBOMA-PFPE-PIBOMA) triblock copolymers with a fixed PFPE block length and different PIBOMA block lengths are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization from a PFPE macroinitiator. The triblock copolymers can self-assemble into micelles with the PIBOMA core and PFPE corona in mixed 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane/N,N-dimethylformamide (F113/DMF) solvent. Hydrophobic surface can be obtained by evaporating the solvent in the prepared micelles at 23 degrees C. The surface hydrophobicity of films constructing from the prepared triblock copolymer micelles is successfully regulated by tuning the assembly morphologies through changing the volume ratio of F113/DMF and the chain length of PIBOMA blocks. In the films casting from the micelles at F113/DMF 1/1 (v/v) solvents, the micro-/nano-scale particle structures are coexisted on the surface, which leads to the formation of superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angle (WCA) of 155 degrees and sliding angle of 4 degrees, as well as good self-cleaning performance. Meanwhile, the self-assembled surfaces show excellent superhydrophobic properties with a WCA of 155 degrees and good corrosion resistance on cotton fabrics. These phenomena indicate that the PFPE-containing triblock copolymers have potential application prospects in superhydrophobic coatings.