Macromolecules, Vol.46, No.8, 2984-2996, 2013
Rigid Adherent-Resistant Elastomers (RARE): Nano-, Meso-, and Microscale Tuning of Hybrid Fluorous Polyoxetane-Polyurethane Blend Coatings
A series of hybrid elastomers were prepared by a combination of (1) condensation cured, -Si(OC2H5)(3) end-capped, poly(3-trifluoroethoxymethyl-3-methyloxetane), "3F", and a siliceous domain "builder", bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, and (2) a linear 3F polyurethane "U-3F". Hybrid compositions U-3F-x are designated by polyurethane weight percent "x". Bulk characterization includes thermal transitions (DMA, DSC), mechanical properties (DMA, tensile), and susceptibility to swelling by a hydrocarbons (hexadecane). Increased mechanical properties, particularly toughness, was found with increasing U-3F wt %. Near surface U-3F depletion was established by ATR-IR spectroscopy with Ge and diamond crystals. To describe the length scale for near surface U-3F depletion, the term mesosurface is introduced, which in this context is a depth of similar to 1000 nm. Peak removal force in shear (Pc-s) for a rigid adherent, namely epoxied aluminum cylinders (ECs), was determined with a TA Instruments RSA III. A striking compositional dependence was found for EC adhesion. A U-3F-50 hybrid coating had the lowest adhesion (Pc-s = 0.078 MPa) with good toughness (6.2 MPa). Bulk and surface characterization together with adhesion measurements established U-3F-x hybrid coatings, and U-3F-50 in particular, as new fluorous rigid adherent-resistant elastomers (RARE) that are tough, oil resistant, and optically transparent.