Synthesis and Characterization of Waterborne Fluoropolymers Prepared by the One-Step Semi-Continuous Emulsion Polymerization of Chlorotrifluoroethylene, Vinyl Acetate, Butyl Acrylate, Veova 10 and Acrylic Acid.

Zhonggang Wang,Chuan-Jin Hou,Jiming Bian,Hongzhu Liu

doi:10.3390/molecules22010184

Abstract

Waterborne fluoropolymer emulsions were synthesized using the one-step semi-continuous seed emulsion polymerization of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), vinyl acetate (VAc), n-butyl acrylate (BA), Veova 10, and acrylic acid (AA). The main physical parameters of the polymer emulsions were tested and analyzed. Characteristics of the polymer films such as thermal stability, glass transition temperature, film-forming properties, and IR spectrum were studied. Meanwhile, the weatherability of fluoride coatings formulated by the waterborne fluoropolymer and other coatings were evaluated by the quick ultraviolet (QUV) accelerated weathering test, and the results showed that the fluoropolymer with more than 12% fluoride content possessed outstanding weather resistance. Moreover, scale-up and industrial-scale experiments of waterborne fluoropolymer emulsions were also performed and investigated.

Highlights

Fluoropolymers used in high-performance coatings [1] have received much attention because of their unique construction [2], outstanding weatherability [3], and attractive surface properties [4,5].They have extensive applications in many fields, such as in the automotive industry [6], optic cables and microelectronics [7], plastics [8], woods [9], solar energy [10], and in the protection of cultural relics [11]
The pre-emulsification of monomers P1, P2, P3, and P4 was performed before the semi-continuous emulsion polymerization
Its reliability feasibility were verified by scale-up and industrial-scale experiments

Summary

Introduction

Fluoropolymers used in high-performance coatings [1] have received much attention because of their unique construction [2], outstanding weatherability [3], and attractive surface properties [4,5].They have extensive applications in many fields, such as in the automotive industry [6], optic cables and microelectronics [7], plastics [8], woods [9], solar energy [10], and in the protection of cultural relics [11]. Water-dispersible products include aqueous dispersions of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) [12,13,14], tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoroethylene copolymer (FEP) [12], and tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalky vinyl ether copolymers (PFA) [12] for non-stick and anti-corrosion fields. Those fluoropolymers are not necessarily suitable for use as conventional coating materials due to their high baking temperature and weak adhesion.

Methods

Results

Conclusion