Synthesis and characterization of the fluorinated acrylic latex: Effect of fluorine-containing surfactant on properties of the latex film

Fluorinated acrylic latexes of methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), methacrylic acid (MAA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFMA) were synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization, and ammonium p-nonylphenol polyoxyethylene sulfate (CO-436), octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-10), perfluoroalkylpolyethers (Le-180s, RfCH2CH2O(CH2CH2O)nH, Rf = F(CF2CF2)4, Mn = 700) as well as C8F17SO3K (Le-003) were used as surfactants. One non-fluorinated (CO-436/OP-10) and two fluorinated (CO-436/OP-10/Le-180s, CO-436/OP-10/Le-180s/Le-003) surfactant systems were employed in this experiment. Effect of three surfactant systems on properties of the fluorinated acrylate latexes was investigated. Chemical composition and morphology of the copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 19F NMR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The root-mean-square roughness of the latex film was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) which revealed that the roughness was increased after employment of the fluorine-containing surfactants. TG and DSC analyse indicated that the polymer prepared in the presence of fluorine-containing surfactant had preferable thermal stability and high glass transition temperature. The average particle size of the latex prepared in the presence of fluorinated surfactant system was uniform and the particle distribution was narrow. Water hydrophobicity, dilution, refrigeration as well as Ca2+ stabilities were also investigated.

Fluorinated acrylate latexes were prepared with MMA, BA, HEMA, MAA, and TFEMA by emulsion polymerization in three surfactant mixture systems, and the surface roughness and the hydrophobicity of the films were investigated. After adding fluorine containing surfactant, the surface roughness of the latex film was increased and hydrophobicity was improved. Also other characteristics such as thermal stability and conversion of fluorinated monomer were improved after employment of fluorinated surfactant in the experiment.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Different types of surfactants are used to synthesize fluorinated acrylate latex.
► Fluorine containing surfactant leads to an increase in latex stability.
► Conversion of fluorinated monomer is increased after addition of fluoro surfactant.
► Surface roughness increases as the addition of fluorine containing surfactant.