Synthesis of fluorinated block copolymer and superhydrophobic cotton fabrics preparation

Abstract

Abstract Fluorinated block copolymers, hexafluorobutyl methacrylate-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (HFBMA- b -PGMAs, FPGs) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and applied to fabricating hydrophobic cotton fabrics. Since the HFBMA block provided low surface free energy and the PGMA blocks served as anchors with cotton fibers, the FPGs modified cotton fabrics showed excellent water repellency. The results indicated that nano- and microscale rough structures were created with combining HFBMA blocks onto surfaces of micro-sized cotton fibers. Since the HFBMA blocks were chemically bound to the cotton fibers by epoxy groups of PGMA blocks, the modified cotton fabrics possessed long-term high stability and durability. Furthermore, the important cotton fabric parameters such as tensile strength, color, and haptics were all unaffected by the FPGs modification, which revealed potential for applications.