Unique Difference in Transition Temperature of Two Similar Fluorinated Side Chain Polymers Forming Hexatic Smectic Phase: Poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate} and Poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl vinyl ether}

Abstract

The surface properties of comb-shaped polymers with perfluorooctyl ethyl side-chains are strongly related to the ordered structure of the side-chains at the surface. In this work, the thermal behavior, liquidcrystalline structure, and functional group orientation of comb-shaped polymers containing perfluorooctyl side-chains with poly(acrylate) (PFA-C 8 ) and poly(vinyl ether) (PFAVE8) backbones are discussed based on DSC, synchrotron-source X-ray diffraction, and FTIR measurements. Despite the similar tilted hexatic smectic structures and packing entropies, the isotropization temperature, T i , of the PFA-C 8 is significantly higher than the PFAVE8. Detailed characterization of the conformation, alignment, and organization of the perfluorooctyl side-chains indicate that the difference in T i is related to the configuration of side-chains and interactions between the carbonyl groups along the acrylate backbone. The present findings show that the type of the linkage between the polymer backbone and fluorinated side-chain mesogens affects the conformation and plays an important role in determining thermal behavior.

Synthesis and Solid-State Properties of PolyC3 (Co)polymers Containing (CH2–CH2–C(COOR)2) Repeat Units with Densely Packed Fluorocarbon Lateral Chains

“…This distance corresponds to packing of the PTFE-like chains, as previously noticed by Takahara et al. 24 It can be therefore concluded that the pendant fluorocarbon chains packed in a hexatic structure are standing upright in the film according to the structure of a SmB phase. Schematic illustration of the molecular organization in the SmB and SmC phases is shown in Figure 6.…”

Preparation of fluorinated methacrylate/clay nanocomposite via in‐situ polymerization: Characterization, structure, and properties

“…For fabrication of hydrophobic surfaces, perfluoroalkyl chains have a better potential because the chains are more rigid than n ‐alkyl chains, and remain ordered in the bulk and at the surface at higher temperature than n ‐alkyl chains with the same length . In particular, comb‐shaped polymers with perfluorooctyl (C 8 F 17 , R f ) side chains show excellent hydrophobicity that is related to the ordered arrangement of perfluoroalkyl groups at the outermost layer. Synthesis of many fluorinated acrylic homopolymers and copolymers were studied for their unique physical properties …”

Effect of clay on the dielectric properties of novel fluorinated methacrylate nanocomposites

“…These polymers contain fluorine atoms in either main or side chains [4,5]. They display unique properties such as low surface tension, thermal stability, low refractive index, chemical inertness, and good electric properties [6][7][8]. Therefore, fluoropolymers such as fluorinated polymethacrylates or polyacrylates, rich in trifluoromethyl functional groups have served in many applications in energy (capacitors, fuel cell membranes, photovoltaics, and lithium ion batteries) [9,10], electrical/ electronic aerospace, aeronautics and automotive industries [6,[11][12][13].…”