Preparation and characterization of fluorine-containing acrylate copolymers by 60Co γ-ray radiation co-polymerization

A series of fluorine-containing acrylate copolymers were prepared by 60Co γ-ray radiation co-polymerization in a mixed acrylate system, including butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide and perfluoroalkylethyl methacrylate (FMA). The yield of the copolymers reached 96% when they were radiated for 34 h with the radiation dose of 1 kGy/h. Moreover, the surface structure and properties of the copolymers were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle (CA) analysis. And the glass-transition temperature was measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). It was found that the fluoropolymer was of large water static contact angle and fluorine was enriched at the polymer–air interface. The relationship between the copolymer composition, annealed temperature and static contact angle was also discussed in detail. Furthermore, when the FMA content reached 3%, the cotton treated with our products exhibited better oil repellency.