Synthesis and characterization of core–shell latex: Effect of fluorinated acrylic monomer on properties of polyacrylates

•A fluorinated isocyanate acrylic monomer (FA) was synthesized.•Core–shell poly(fluorine acrylate) latexes with fluorine in shell were prepared and characterized.•Increasing FA monomer in emulsion polymerization affected latex film surface roughness and hydrophobicity.•Water contact angles increased with film surface roughness.•The FA monomer could enhance the abrasion resistance of the polymer films.

A series of core–shell latexes were synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and a novel fluorinated monomer, in which process, the novel fluorinated acrylic monomer (FA, reacting toluene diisocyanate with perfluorooctanol and HEMA) was applied in shell. FT–IR and 19F NMR spectra proved that the novel fluorinated acrylic monomer was incorporated into the copolymer chains. TEM and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses demonstrated that latex particles with core–shell structure were obtained, and particle size distribution became broad after adding FA monomer. AFM measurement showed the films prepared from core–shell latexes exhibited different surface roughness; as amount of fluorinated acrylic monomer increased from 0 wt% to 12 wt% of total monomers in emulsion polymerization, the film surface roughness was enhanced from 0.33 nm to 1.67 nm, and water contact angle increased with film surface roughness. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that a certain amount of FA monomer was preferable to improve thermal stability of the copolymer. Abrasion test of the films indicated that FA monomer was beneficial to increase abrasion performance of the films.

Graphical abstractA novel fluorinated acrylic monomer was synthesized (reacting toluene diisocyanate with perfluorooctanol and hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and applied in preparing core–shell latex. A series of core–shell latexes containing different amount of fluorinated acrylic monomer in shell were obtained and characterized.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide