Synthesis of a cationic fluorinated polyacrylate emulsifier-free emulsion via ab initio RAFT emulsion polymerization and its hydrophobic properties of coating films

A cationic fluorinated polyacrylate emulsifier-free emulsion was successfully synthesized via ab initio RAFT emulsion polymerization mediated by the poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PDMAEMA-b-PHFBA) trithiocarbonate macro-RAFT agent. The influence of the amount of PDMAEMA-b-PHFBA on emulsion polymerization and finished fabric properties was investigated. The monomer conversion increased as the amount of PDMAEMA-b-PHFBA increased from 1 wt% to 5 wt%, and decreased slightly afterwards. The water contact angle of the finished fabric increased with the increase of the amount of PDMAEMA-b-PHFBA. The latex particles, presented as spherical particles with diameters of 44-56 nm, were characterized by TEM. FT-IR and H-1-NMR results demonstrated that all the monomers had effectively participated in the emulsion polymerization. The surface morphology of the fabrics was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed that the cationic fluorinated polyacrylate emulsifier-free emulsion was deposited on the surface of the fabric, and the treated fabrics showed good water repellency.