Preparation and characterization of fluorinated acrylate copolymer latexes by miniemulsion polymerization under microwave irradiation

Fluoroacrylate copolymer miniemulsion was prepared by miniemulsion polymerization under microwave irradiation. The composition of the copolymer was determined by FTIR, DSC, 1H NMR and 19F NMR. The morphology, size, and size distribution of the latex particles as well as changes in the size during polymerization were characterized by TEM and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The effects of kinetic parameters on the polymerization were evaluated. The particle size of latex underwent almost no change during microwave irradiation polymerization. The diameters of latex particles prepared by microwave irradiation were smaller and more monodispersed than those prepared by conventional heating and the latex had good centrifugal stability. Polymerization under microwave irradiation had a higher reaction rate and higher conversion than traditional heating. By using 10 wt% fluoromonomer, the surface energy of the latex film could be reduced from 27.24 mJ/m2 (latex film of fluorine-free) to 17.59 mJ/m2 and the decomposition temperature increased by 25 °C.

Fluoroacrylate latexes are prepared by miniemulsion polymerization under microwave irradiation and conventional heating using dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFHMA), butyl acrylate (BA), and methyl methylacrylate (MMA) as the raw materials. According to the TEM images and PCS measurement, the diameters of the latex particles prepared by microwave irradiation are smaller and more monodispersed than those prepared by conventional heating. Moreover, polymerization under microwave irradiation has a higher reaction rate and higher conversion than traditional heating. The effects of the kinetic parameters on the miniemulsion polymerization are investigated. The surface property and thermal stability of the latex films are also determined by contact angle, atomic force microscopy and thermo-gravimetric analyses.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide