Preparation of a Fluorocarbon Polymerizable Surfactant and Its Application in Emulsion Polymerization of Fluorine-Containing Acrylate.

Meng Zhao,Youhai Yu,Hui Li,Zhewen Han

doi:10.3390/polym9110606

Abstract

A novel polymerizable fluorocarbon surfactant, perfluoro (4–methyl–3, 6–dioxaoct–7–ene) sodium sulfonate (PSVNa), was synthesized and characterized. The fluorocarbon surfactant PSVNa and its mixture PSVNa/SDS were used as emulsifiers during the emulsion polymerization of DFHMA/MMA. The investigation of polymerization kinetics, particle size, and stability of the emulsions revealed that PSVNa has excellent emulsifying properties. The NMR spectrum of the copolymer and the detection of residual PSVNa show that more than 95% of the fluorocarbon surfactants have been linked to the polymer chains by radical polymerization, which will greatly reduce the environmental pollution caused by fluorinated surfactants.

Highlights

Fluorinated polymers, with excellent environmental stability, low coefficient of friction water and oil repellency, biocompatibility, excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and low interfacial free energy, have been widely used in the defense and high-tech industries [1,2]
Fluorocarbon surfactants based on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been widely adopted in the conventional processes of fluoropolymers manufacture
The results show that, when the concentration was above 4%, the lowest surface tension of PSVNa could reach 26 mN/m

Summary

Introduction

Fluorinated polymers, with excellent environmental stability, low coefficient of friction water and oil repellency, biocompatibility, excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and low interfacial free energy, have been widely used in the defense and high-tech industries [1,2]. Several kinds of fluorocarbon surfactants have been developed as substitutes of PFOA in recent years, and the main idea is to shorten the perfluorocarbon chains, or to replace perfluoroalkyl with fluorinated polyether segments to reduce their bioaccumulation. These small molecules, containing fluorinated segments, can still pollute the environment due to their excellent stability in nature environment [4,5,6,7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion