End-Blocked Silanization of Side-Chain Fluoroalkyl Oligoether and its Surface Properties

Abstract

In this study, three novel side-chain fluoroalkyl oligoethers with different molecular weights were synthesised via a ring-opening reaction of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoropentyloxirane. The fluorooligoethers were then silanized and characterised by FT-IR,1H, and 19F NMR spectroscopies. These silanlized fluorooligoethers were used to fabricate hydrophobic coatings on silicon substrates, which were pre-treated with O2 plasma, by the method of liquid phase deposition. The chemical compositions and structures of the film surfaces were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the results showed that silanized fluorooligoethers formed self-assembled films on the silicon wafer. The surface wettability of the coatings was measured by water contact angles. It is noted that the annealing process can improve the hydrophobicity with the highest water contact angle being 115.2 ± 1° and hexadecane contact angle being 67.2 ± 1°. The surface morphologies and roughness of the self-assembled films were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), as a result, the surface was found to be rougher with the increment of the molecular weight of the fluorooligoethers.