Semifluorinated diblock copolymers. Synthesis, characterisation and amphiphilic properties

Semifluorinated diblock copolymers based on methyl methacrylate and 1 H ,1 H ,2 H ,2 H ‐perfluoroalkyl methacrylates were prepared by nucleophilic catalysed group transfer polymerisation. Characterisation was carried out by 1 H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) in toluene. The latter method revealed the formation of micelles. The surface activity of the materials was demonstrated by tensiometry using a Wilhelmy balance. Measurements on thin polymer films showed low critical surface tensions and low dispersion force contributions to the surface energy indicating the presence of the fluorinated block at the surface.