Analysis and discussion on the surface enrichment of fluorine atoms in fluorocarbon antifouling flashover coating

Abstract

Fluorocarbon resin was widely used in the hydrophobic coating. The antifouling flashover coatings were prepared with FEVE fluorocarbons resin as film forming material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microparticles and modified TiO2 nanoparticles as fillers, and perfluorosilane as coupling agent. The experiment results showed a surface enrichment phenomenon of fluorine atoms in the samples, the surface F atoms relative content were 9.42%, 11.73%, 13.08% respectively in three samples, which the filler with single PTFE, unmodified TiO2 and PTFE, modified TiO2 and PTFE. Meanwhile, after different outdoor exposure times, the surface enrichment of fluorine atoms existed also, the test results showed the surface F atoms relative content were 12.26%, 13.16%, 18.27% respectively, which with initial sample, 1.5a and 3a outdoor exposure samples. Its mechanism maybe the long side chain perfluoroalkyl group moves to the surface of the coating without being affected by the main chain, thus fluorine atoms are enriched on the surface of the coating.