Synthesis and characterization of core–shell polysilsesquioxane-poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-fluorinated acrylate) hybrid latex particles

Core–shell polysilsesquioxane-poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-fluorinated acrylate) [PSQ–P(St-BA-FA)] hybrid latex particles were successfully prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization with polymethacryloxypropylsilsesquioxane (PSQ) synthesized by the hydrolysis and polycondensation of (3-methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MAPTS) in the presence of emulsifiers as seeds. The chemical composition and core–shell morphology of the resultant hybrid particles were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated that the core–shell hybrid particles were uniform and possessed narrow size distributions. The surface properties of the latex films produced from the core–shell hybrid particles were also investigated by contact angle (CA) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The results proved the enrichment of fluorine on the film surface, and the latex films had high contact angles and low surface free energies. Optical measurements indicated that the incorporation of fluorinated acrylate onto PSQ particles can effectively reduce light reflectivity of the obtained transparent hybrid latex film. Atom force microscopy (AFM) characterization showed that the obtained hybrid latex film had a smooth surface. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the PSQ–P(St-BA-FA) hybrid latex film had better thermal stability than the poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) [P(St-BA)] latex film.