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Surface-active fluorocarbon end-functionalized polylactides

Hutchings, L.R.; Narrainen, A.P.; Eggleston, S.M.; Clarke, N.; Thompson, R.L.

Authors

A.P. Narrainen

S.M. Eggleston

N. Clarke



Abstract

The synthesis and surface properties of a 2 × C8F17 fluorocarbon di-functionalized poly(d,l-lactide), “F2PLA” are described. Small fractions 5% w/w of F2PLA, when blended with unfunctionalized poly(d,l-lactide), “PLA”, render the surface both hydrophobic and lipophobic. Contact angle analysis indicates that the properties of the blend surface approach those of PTFE. Rutherford backscattering analysis of the surface shows that at saturation, approximately 50% of the blend surface is covered by C8F17 fluorocarbon units. Using self-consistent field theory simulations, we estimate that adsorption of the F2PLA is characterized by a thermodynamic sticking energy of the difunctional group of approximately 6 kBT. Bilayer samples were prepared in which a blend of F2PLA in PLA was initially covered with a layer of pure PLA. The rate of surface modification in these films was analysed to obtain a diffusion coefficient of up to 160 nm2 s−1 for 21.6 kg/mol F2PLA at 90 °C.

Citation

Hutchings, L., Narrainen, A., Eggleston, S., Clarke, N., & Thompson, R. (2006). Surface-active fluorocarbon end-functionalized polylactides. Polymer, 47(24), 8116-8122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2006.09.050

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 1, 2006
Deposit Date May 10, 2007
Journal Polymer
Print ISSN 0032-3861
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 24
Pages 8116-8122
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2006.09.050
Keywords Adsorption, Surface modification, Functionalized polymers.