Surface Tension of Polytetrafluoroethylene and Polymethyl Methacrylate under the Influence of the Fluorocarbon Surfactant Film

Abstract

Measurements of the contact angle for water, formamide, and diiodomethane on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) covered by Zonyl FSN-100 (FSN100) and Zonyl FSO-100 (FSO100) films were made. On the basis of the obtained values, the Lifshitz–van der Waals component and electron-acceptor and electron-donor parameters of the acid–base component of PTFE and PMMA covered by the surfactant film surface tension were determined by the use of van Oss et al. approach to the interfacial tension and Young’s equation. The components and parameters of surface tension were discussed in the light of the sorption of fluorocarbon surfactants at the polymer/solution interface and proper orientation of the surfactant molecules to this interface. Taking into account the changes of determined values of the components and parameters of PTFE and PMMA surface tension under influence of the surfactant films, the relationship between the adhesion tension and the surface tension, as well as between the cosine of contact angle and the surface tension of aqueous solution of fluorocarbon surfactants, was explained.