Preparation and properties of novel fluorinated cross-linked polyphosphazene micro-nano spheres

Novel fluorinated cross-linked polyphosphazene micro-nano spheres with controllable particle size ranging from 0.57 to 4.33 mu m were prepared by precipitation polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) monomer. The formation of the non-porous micro-nano spheres was found to obey an oligomeric species-absorbing mechanism. The micro-nano spheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray diffraction. No glass-transition temperature of the spheres was observed and the onset of the thermal-degradation temperature was found to be 366 degrees C. It was found that a silicon wafer dip-coated with thus prepared micro-nano spheres had a water contact angle as high as 137 +/- 1.5 degrees. By changing such experimental conditions, as concentration of HCCP, temperature and ultrasonic power, the particle size of the polymeric micro-nano spheres can be controlled.