Synthesis and characterization of hydrophobic amino-based polyphosphazene microspheres with different morphologies via two strategies

Abstract

Novel fluorinated cross-linked polyphosphazene microspheres bearing active amino groups on the surface have been successfully prepared by precipitation polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) with 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (6FODA) through different strategies: ultrasonic in high temperature and water-triggered self-assembly in normal temperature. By adjusting the reaction conditions, the diameter of the microspheres were controlled from 0.5–3μm and 0.2–1μm respectively. The chemical structures, morphologies, thermal properties, and surface properties of these microspheres were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and water contact angles (WCA). The cross-linked structures exhibited remarkable thermal stability, and no glass transition temperatures were observed. It was found that a wafer coated with those prepared microspheres has a water contact angle around 135°, which definitely increased compared with the water contact angle of as-prepared poly(hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether) microspheres (about 8.8°).