Synthesis and analysis of properties of a new core–shell silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate latex

BACKGROUND: Silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate copolymers are potential materials for use in the protection of ancient stone buildings. In the work reported in this paper, a new core–shell silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate latex was prepared through grafting of a fluoroacrylate copolymer latex with polysiloxane. RESULTS: The core–shell silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate latex was successfully synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) ring‐opening polymerization in the presence of a mixed emulsifier consisting of a non‐ionic emulsifier and a novel fluorine‐containing anionic emulsifier sodium perfluoro‐octane sulfonate. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, static contact angle measurements and scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray analysis showed that when the D₄ content was controlled at 2.84–4.36 wt%, the silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate latex presented a uniform sphere core‐shell structure and had strong hydrophobic and oleophobic characters due to the association of both fluorine and silicon atoms on the latex film surface. The film cross‐section exhibited uniform and dense microstructure without any phase segregation. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile test results indicated that all the silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate copolymers displayed better thermal stability and higher flexibility. CONCLUSION: The synthetic core–shell silicon‐containing fluoroacrylate latex showed excellent surface properties, thermal stability and flexibility, and has encouraging prospects in application as a protective coating. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry