Effect of dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA) on the comprehensive properties of acrylate emulsion pressure sensitive adhesives

Fluorinated acrylate emulsion pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) based on butyl acrylate (BA), fluorine monomer dodecafluomheptyl methacrylate (DFMA), acrylic acid (AA) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) were synthesized via a monomer-starved seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization process. The influences of DFMA on the resultant latex and PSA properties were comprehensively investigated. FTIR analysis indicated that DFMA could be successfully introduced into the latex PSA copolymer through emulsion polymerization. DSC and TG analyses showed that T-g and thermal stability of the PSA were both improved as DFMA content increased. XPS analysis indicated that fluoroalkyl groups had a tendency to enrich on the surface of the film, and the more DFMA added the more F content on the film surface. Moreover, the surface roughness and contact angle of the acrylate latex PSA film were both increased with the introduction of DFMA. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and adhesive property tests showed that the storage modulus (G') and shear holding power were improved with DFMA content while at the sacrifice of loop tack. Finally, 180 degrees peel strength of fluorinated acrylate latex PSAs on different substrates (PP, SS) as a function of DFMA content was evaluated.