Premium
Recoverable surface modification using dendritically fluorocarbon‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate)
Author(s) -
Thompson Richard L.,
Narrainen Amilcar Pillay,
Eggleston Stuart M.,
Ansari Imtiyaz A.,
Hutchings Lian R.,
Clarke Nigel
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.26274
Subject(s) - fluorocarbon , materials science , contact angle , adsorption , polymer chemistry , methyl methacrylate , surface energy , chemical engineering , surface modification , methacrylate , polymerization , composite material , chemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , engineering
Dendritically fluorocarbon‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been explored as a robust surface‐modifying additive in PMMA blends. These functionalized materials, denoted F x PMMA y , where x is the number of C 8 F 17 fluorocarbon groups per dendron connected to a PMMA chain of y kg/mol, have been synthesized by living radical polymerization. These materials adsorb efficiently to the surfaces of their blends with unfunctionalized PMMA, resulting in increased hydrophobicity and lipophobicity. Contact‐angle goniometry has indicated a substantial reduction in the surface energy toward polytetrafluoroethylene‐like surface properties in the case of pure F 4 PMMA 8.6 and substantial, but incomplete fluorocarbon surface coverage at a lower F x PMMA y concentration. The partial coverage has been confirmed by Rutherford backscattering and, together with the weak dependence of the surface modification on the F x PMMA y structure, indicates incomplete equilibrium of the surface adsorption. The modified surfaces are quite durable with respect to abrasion under water but are progressively eroded when the double‐wipe test is carried out with acetone. F x PMMA y , dispersed in the remaining film, acts as a reservoir of spare functional groups, from which the damaged surface may be replenished, leading to the recovery of the modified surface properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007