Preparation and surface properties of acrylic polymers containing fluorinated monomers

A series of novel polymers have been prepared by free radical solution polymerization of a variety of hydrocarbon monomers with the (perfluoroalkyl)ethyl methacrylate monomer H2C=C(CH3)CO2(CH2)(2)(CF2)(n)F, 1 ((n) over bar approximate to 7.1). Polymers prepared using two different methods of feeding 1 into the reaction mass are discussed. Through a judicious choice of reaction conditions, some control of polymer architecture was exhibited. The resultant (perfluoroalkyl)ethyl methacrylate-containing acrylic polymers were shown to be quite surface active in the solid state. The magnitude of surface activity depends on the monomer 1 feed method. The polymers were formulated into thin films and applied to a variety of surfaces. With levels at 1.5 wt % of 1, water and oil repellent surfaces were created. Water contact angles (advancing) of similar to 80-115 degrees and hexadecane contact angles (advancing) of similar to 60-70 degrees were observed routinely. In addition, it was observed that the concentration profile of fluorine in the films exhibited a steep gradient normal to the surface when studied by angle-dependent ESCA and secondary ion mass spectroscopic depth profiling.