Photoinduced Ring Opening Copolymerization of Perfluoropolyalkylethers

Perfluoropolyalkylethers (PFPAEs), based on structural units such as –(CF2O)–, –(CF2CF2O)–, –(CF2CF2CF2O)– and –(CF(CF3)CF2O)–, represent a special class of fluoropolymers with remarkable properties (low glass transition temperature, high chemical and thermal inertness, low surface energy and refractive index, excellent ageing, weather and flame resistances)[1]. They can be a non-toxic alternative to the long perfluoroalkyl chains presently banned in many countries[2], and be used in many high technology areas such as aerospace, aeronautic (seals, gaskets), automotive industry, microelectronics, optics or even for antifouling and release coatings or textile treatment. The purpose of our work is to synthesize new PFPAEs by anionic ring-opening polymerization of hexafluoropropoxide (HFPO) and functionalize them with different reactive groups. Here we describe the synthesis of PFPAE monofunctional alcohols (HFPOn-MA) with different molecular weight and their use in photoinduced ring-opening polymerization of non-fluorinated diepoxides. The bulk properties of the UV-cured copolymers were practically unaffected by the presence of the fluorinated comonomers when added in low amount (less than 5%wt), but their addition reflected on the surface properties, that were strongly modified.