Composites Prepared by the Anionic Polymerization of Ethyl 2-Cyanoacrylate within Supercritical Carbon Dioxide−Swollen Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene)

Abstract

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) was used as an aid in fabricating polymer/polymer composites. Using a two-stage process, ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ECA) monomer was anionically polymerized within poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) substrates. The composite fabrication process involved first infusing triphenylphosphine (the initiator) into the substrate using SC CO2. In the second step, monomer was introduced (again using SC CO2) to the substrate. As the monomer absorbed into the initiator-containing substrate, it polymerized. The composite surfaces were characterized using surface-selective techniques. The mechanical performance of the composites was determined by measuring the adhesive fracture toughness of the composites. The locus of failure of fractured interfaces of composites with epoxy was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.