Novel Polymeric Surfadditives Synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Their Surface Migration Properties

Multi-functional tri-block copolymers having fluorinated and triethoxysilane side chains and polyacrylate backbone have been synthesized and used as surface-active additives (termed as "surfadditive") in molding and casting acrylic parts. The fluorinated block facilitates migration of surfadditive molecules to the part surface and the acrylate block provides rooting to the part matrix, while the silane block offers functionality to the part surface. This uniquely designed surfadditive allows surface functionalization and modification without post-processing steps. This work reports the design and synthesis of surfadditives and demonstrates their surface enrichment in molding and cell casting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) samples. The effects of processing temperature, surfadditive structure and concentration, as well as mold surface property on the surface modification are systematically investigated.