Synthesis and characterizations of alternating co- and terpolymers based on vinyl ethers and chlorotrifluoroethylene

The synthesis of new terpolymers based on chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), 2-chloroethylvinyl ether (CEVE) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl vinyl ether (FAVE8), in 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane initiated by tert-butylperoxypivalate (TBPPI) and CF3˙ radicals is presented. The products were obtained in high yields and their composition was assessed by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, confirming the very good alternation between CTFE and vinyl ether (VE) monomeric units. The molecular weights of the resulting products were determined by size exclusion chromatography and their thermal properties, i.e. degradation temperature under air and glass transition temperature (Tg), were also assessed. The introduction of the fluorinated vinyl ether in the terpolymers did affect the thermal stability and induced a linear decrease of the Tg values of the resulting materials. Films were also cast from acetone to carry out water contact angle measurements that were higher for higher FAVE8 contents.