Ultralow surface energy plasma polymer films

Room-temperature pulsed plasma polymerization of long-chain perfluoroacrylates produces well-adhered liquid-repellent (hydrophobic and oleophobic) films. Critical surface tension values as low as gamma(c) = 4.3 mN m(-1) have been measured on coated flat glass substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and atomic force microscopy characterization of these surfaces indicates that the low surface energy perfluoroalkyl chains remain intact, while polymerization occurs predominantly via the acrylate carbon-carbon double bond during the plasma duty cycle off-period.