Simple method for lowering poly(methyl methacrylate) surface energy with fluorination

A poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface was fluorinated by immersion in 3-(perfluoro-7-methyloctyl)-1,2-epoxypropene and subsequent heat treatment at 120 degrees C. The water contact angle on PMMA increased from 67 degrees to 111 degrees after the fluorination treatment with no loss of optical transparency. This high contact angle corresponds to a surface free energy of 10 mJ m(-2), which is much lower than that of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (22 mJ m(-2)). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the surface was almost completely covered by fluoroalkyl groups, which imparted high hydrophobicity. This simple fluorination method effectively lowers the surface free energy of PMMA. The fluorinated PMMA also demonstrated low albumin adsorption, low blood clotting and antifouling properties against fingerprints. These characteristics reveal that fluorinated PMMA generated by a simple immersion treatment could serve as an antithrombogenic or antifingerprint fouling material.