Novel waterborne polyurethanes containing short fluoroalkyl chains: Synthesis and applications on cotton fabrics

Two novel waterborne polyurethanes containing short fluoroalkyl groups [-CH(CF3)(2) and -CH2CF2CF3] were designed and synthesized. They were applied as surface modification agents on cotton fabrics. The treated cotton fabrics showed good water-repellent properties, and the contact angles for water were 146 degrees for the fluorinated polyurethane with the -CH2CF2CF3 group and 132 degrees for the fluorinated polyurethane with the -CH(CF3)(2) group. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.