Synthesis and characterization of a new fluorinated macroinitiator and its diblock copolymer by AGET ATRP

A new fluorinated macroinitiator of poly 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate-Br (PHFMA-Br) was prepared via activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP), and then a series of fluorinated block copolymers with different fluorine content were successfully synthesized from the macroinitiator by the second step AGET ATRP. GPC, FTIR and ¹H NMR data obtained verified the synthesis. Contact angle measurement indicated that proper fluorine content could decrease the surface energy and increase the contact angle of the copolymer films. XPS characterization showed that the large difference in surface energy between the block and random copolymer film resulted from the difference of the fluorine content on the surface, although the fluorine content of the two copolymers in bulk was similar. The self-assembly behavior of the fluorinated block copolymer in selective solvents was evaluated by the TEM study, and the stable micelles with a core-shell structure were observed when the copolymer content was about 1 wt%.