Semifluorinated side group poly(oxyethylene) derivatives having extremely low surface energy: Synthesis, characterization, and surface properties

Poly[oxy[[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl]thiomethyl]ethylene]s (H2F8TP-Xs, where X is mole% of perfluorooctyl groups in the side chain) with different levels of conversion were synthesized using polymer analogous reactions from poly[oxy(chloromethyl)ethylene] and 2-perfluorooctyl ethane thioacetate. H2F8TP-20, 41, 64, and 85 were obtained by changing the poly[oxy(chloromethyl)ethylene] to 2-perfluorooctyl ethane thioacetate mole ratio in the reaction from 0.35 to 1.50. H2F8TP-85 (85% conversion) was found to have an extremely low surface energy of 6.2 mN/m at room temperature, which was attributed to the highly ordered perfluorinated alkyl groups on the surface as a result of phase separation between the perfluorinated side chain part and the hydrogenated flexible backbone. The films of the polymers were characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS).