Synthesis and properties novel polyurethane-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate copolymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Surface Science

Background:

• Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile polymers with broad applications.
• Tailoring PU properties, such as hydrophobicity and mechanical strength, is crucial for advanced material development.
• Incorporating fluorinated monomers can significantly modify surface characteristics and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel physically crosslinked polyurethane-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (PU-M) copolymers.
• To investigate the self-assembly behavior and surface properties of these copolymers.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties and antimicrobial efficacy of the developed PU-M materials.

Main Methods:

• Macroiniferter-controlled radical polymerization for copolymer synthesis.
• Characterization using FT-IR, (1)H-NMR, GPC, DSC, and XPS.
• Surface property analysis, mechanical testing, and antimicrobial assays against E. coli and B. subtilis.

Main Results:

• PU-M copolymers exhibited tunable hydrophobicity based on vinyl monomer content.
• Good mechanical properties were observed in the synthesized copolymers.
• Self-assembly morphology was characterized by TEM and SEM, with fluorine content influencing surface properties.
• Chlorinated PU-M copolymers showed enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to pure polyurethane.

Conclusions:

• Physically crosslinked PU-M copolymers can be effectively prepared using a macroiniferter method.
• The hydrophobicity and surface properties of PUs can be precisely controlled by incorporating hexafluorobutyl methacrylate.
• The developed PU-M copolymers possess desirable mechanical and antimicrobial properties, indicating potential for specialized applications.