Novel perfluoropolyalkylethers (PFPAEs): photo-induced cationic polymerization and copolymer characterization

Perfluoropolyalkylethers (PFPAEs) show low polarizability, strong electronegativity, high C-F bond energy, and exceptional mobility thanks to the oxygen bridges; they represent a special class of fluoropolymers with remarkable properties (low glass transition temperature, high thermal stability, excellent chemical inertness, low surface energy, tunable mechanical properties), and are commercially available mostly obtained from the photooxidation of perfluoroolefins. In this work PFPAEs were synthesized by anionic polymerization of dodecafluorooctanedioyl difluoride, chain extended with different alkyl groups and functionalized with vinyl ether or epoxy end groups. The oligomers were photo-homopolymerized: the curing process was monitored by Photo-DSC and FT-IR-ATR spectroscopies; the crosslinked networks were characterized by DSC, TGA, refractive index and surface measurements.