An array of films composed of a third‐generation hyperbranched fluoropolymer crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol) is generated and tested as an anti‐icing coating. Through variation of the hydrophilic:hydrophobic component ratios and drop‐casting solvent, significant reductions in the water melting transition temperatures (−5 and −27 °C for free and bound water, respectively) are achieved. The novel application of this system displays the expansion and diversity of a well‐established coating that demonstrates unique water confinement and sequestration behaviors with the ability to reorganize at the surface.
Amphiphilic hyperbranched fluoropolymer
coatings incorporating
liquid crystalline moieties and poly(ethylene glycol) cross-linkers
were found to demonstrate noteworthy anti-icing properties. A series
of amphiphilic networks was synthesized through variation of the polymer
molecular weights and hydrophilic/hydrophobic component ratios. These
innovative materials show a remarkable reduction in the free water
melting transition (T
m) temperature (−10
°C), measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and an increase
in water contact angle for dry and water-swollen systems. The addition
of this ordered parameter generated a unique coating topography, which
can be visualized via polarized optical microscopy and 3D optical
microscopy, while maintaining an overall macroscopic homogeneity.
Linear and hyperbranched poly(ethylene glycol)-cross-linked amphiphilic fluoropolymer networks comprised of different liquid crystalline comonomers were developed and evaluated as functional coatings in extreme weather-challenging conditions. Through variation of the liquid-crystalline comonomer and hydrophilic:hydrophobic component ratios, several series of coatings were synthesized and underwent a variety of analyses including differential scanning calorimetry, water contact angle measurements and solution stability studies in aqueous media. These materials maintained an unprecedented reduction in the free water melting transition (T) temperature across the hyperbranched and linear versions. The coatings synthesized from hyperbranched fluoropolymers preserved the liquid crystalline character of the mesogenic components, as seen by polarized optical microscopy, and demonstrated stability in saltwater aqueous environments and in cold weather conditions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.