Atmospheric pressure plasma co-polymerization of two acrylate precursors: Toward the control of wetting properties

The plasma copolymerization of two acrylate precursors with different hydrophobic side chains, namely 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl acrylate (PFDA) and dodecyl acrylate (DOCA), were deposited at atmospheric pressure. By adding different ratios of PFDA into the DOCA solution changes in the chemistry and microstructure were observed and examined using multiple techniques combining FTIR, XPS, SEM, and AFM. Increasing the content of PFDA led to an increase in the F/C ratio and the roughness of the deposits. Considering such variation when PFDA increases, different growth mechanisms are proposed. Finally, adjusting the monomer ratio demonstrates the feasibility of controlling the wettability of the coatings from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic. [GRAPHICS] .