Synthesis and water/oil repellency properties of cationic perfluoralkyl acrylate copolymer latices

A series of cationic perfluoralkyl acrylate copolymer latices were prepared by two-stage emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization method. Perfluoroalkylethyl acrylate (FEA) and [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl]trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) were used as fluoromonomer and cationic monomer, respectively. The structure and composition of copolymer were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal stability of copolymer latex film was investigated by thermogravimetic analysis (TGA). The relationships of polymerization conditions between the conversion and coagulation ratio were discussed in detail and the optimal polymerization condition was identified. The water and oil repellency performance of perfluoralkyl acrylate copolymer latices applied to textiles is significantly investigated. Increasing the FEA amount in the emulsion will lead to increase in the contact angle and water and oil repellency on cotton fabrics. When the FEA dosage was 3.9%, the static contact angles of water and liquid paraffin on the surface of cotton fabrics treated were 142.5 degrees and 126.5 degrees, respectively.