Modified Diblock Copolymer Bearing Fluoro Groups and Evaluation of its Hydrophobic Properties

Abstract

AbstractSummary: The major scope of the presented work is the characterization and evaluation of hydrophobicity of novel copolymers of the PS‐b‐PB1,2 type, modified with perfluorooctanoyl chloride [PS: polystyrene, PB1,2: poly(butadiene) with 100% 1,2‐microstructure]. Fluoro atoms in polymers can create hydrophobic surfaces with low surface energy. The fluorinated groups can migrate and possible orient in the outermost surface of the polymeric thin film. Characterization in the modified block copolymer was conducted with carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to evaluate the structure. Contact angle measurements were also conducted to verify the hydrophobicity of the fluorinated copolymer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to depict the structure of the material. The obtained results showed that indeed the fluorinated copolymer exhibits high hydrophobicity (low surface energy material) with significant structural differences from its precursor.