Bulk and surface properties of blends with semifluorinated polymers and block copolymers

The goal of the investigation presented here is the development of extremely hydrophobic materials based on polysulfone that can be applied, for instance, as fouling-resistant membrane materials. The concept used is the addition of semifluorinated polymers to polysulfone in suitable blend compositions. The influence of molecular parameters like chain structure of the semifluorinated polymer (segmented block copolymers, random copolymers) and segment molecular weight on the state of phase separation in the bulk and its influence on the surface properties have been systematically examined. It could be shown that segmented block copolymers with semifluorinated polyester segments with intermediate segment molecular weight are more suitable in blends with polysulfone than random polysulfone copolymers having semifluorinated side chains with respect to form homogeneous thin films (coatings) with highly non-wetting properties.