Synthesis and surface characterization of an amphiphilic fluorinated copolymer via emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of RAFT

The hydrophobic monomer dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate has been copolymerized with hydrophilic monomer methacrylic acid in aqueous solution without any additional emulsifier used via a two-step polymerization process of RAFT. The FTIR and GPC results indicated that amphiphilic copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution and well-defined blocks have been synthesized successfully. And the copolymers are likely to form steady micelles in the emulsion. Indicated by TEM, it is clear that micelles with a diameter of 70–120 nm have been formed. Despite a content of 22 wt% of hydrophilic carboxyl, films formed by casting the emulsion onto the baseplate can be hydrophobic after heating treatment.