Fluorinated Glycidyl Triazolyl Polymers Exhibiting Thermally Stable Layered Structures and Sticky Hydrophobic Surfaces

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The side-chain fluorinated polymers bearing diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EG2) and perfluorohexyl (C 6 F 13 ) side groups were synthesized using glycidyl triazolyl polymers (GTPs). These GTPs were prepared via catalyst-free azide–alkyne cycloaddition between glycidyl azide polymers and electron-deficient alkyne derivatives. Postpolymerization functionalization enabled the successful production of fluorinated GTP homopolymers and copolymers with molecular weights on the order of 10 5 g mol –1 . Compared to previously reported side-chain fluorinated polymers, the fluorinated GTPs, denoted as GTP-EG2- co -C 6 F 13 x (where x indicates the C 6 F 13 content), display a range of distinctive and superior properties. Notably, they form well-organized layered structures with thermal stability up to 240 °C, significantly surpassing that of fluoropolymers with longer fluorocarbon chains such as C 8 F 17 and C 10 F 21 . This improved thermal stability is attributed not only to the high molecular weight but also to the longer and more flexible repeating units of the GTP backbone compared to vinyl-based polymers. The layered structures also serve as physical cross-links, contributing to higher storage modulus. The surface properties of the fluorinated GTPs were evaluated by contact angle measurements. Among them, GTP-EG2- co -C 6 F 13 25 exhibits particularly distinctive surface behavior. During the advancing contact angle measurement, the water droplet showed pronounced stick-and-slip motion, with a maximum contact angle exceeding the superhydrophobic threshold of 150°. In contrast, the receding contact angle was below 10°, satisfying the criterion for superhydrophilicity. Notably, this sticky hydrophobicity was achieved on the smooth surface (surface roughness <1 nm), offering promising advantages for practical applications requiring precise droplet positioning and strong droplet adhesion.