Study On Synthesis, Properties And Applications Of Novel Polycaprolactone Fluorocarbon Surfactant

Fluorocarbon surfactant is a unique surfactant whose hydrogen atoms are all or partly substituted by fluorine atoms. It could be widely used in several industries such as painting, cosmetics, food and detergent industries because of its high surface activity, low critical micelle concentration and surface tensions as well as high thermal and chemical resistant.In this paper, 2,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dioxaundecafluorononanoyl fluoride was synthesized by the polymerization of hexafluoropropane oxide. A series of new polycaprolactone fluorocarbon surfactant was also synthesized by the esterification reaction between the fluoride and polycaprolactone with different molecular weight of 1000, 2000 and 3000. Its structure was characterized by FTIR, NMR and UV spectra, and results showed the disappearance signals of hydroxyl group of polycaprolactone and fluorine atoms of fluoride.The surface tensions of organic solvents containing the polycaprolactone fluorocarbon surfactants were tested, and influence by molecular weight and polarity of solvents were also studied. The result demonstrated that the lowest surface tension would be decreased while the surface adsorption and its thickness would increased as the length of molecule chain increased. But the weaker the polarity of solvent is, the more easily the surfactant accumulated at gas-liquid interface. On the basis of these findings, the possible patterns of the surfactants in the solution.The HLB values of the surfactant were tested and calculated by different methods, and the results showed the surfactants are suitable for the solubilizer and emulsifier. Thermogravity analysis demonstrated that the polycaprolactone fluorocarbon surfactants had good heat resistant and would not destroyed under 150℃. But the F-C=O weakened the heat stability.The fluorocarbon surfactant could excellently changed the surface activity of polymer materials. The surfactants were added to polyurethane film and their contact angles were studied. The results indicated that hydrophobic properties were improved obviously with the addition of fluorocarbon surfactants.