Fluorocarbons:  Surface Free Energies and van der Waals Interaction

Surface free energies have been calculated for solid fluorocarbon materials by employing a method that utilizes dielectric data and theoretical predictions of van der Waals (dispersion) interactions. Excellent agreement between the results of direct force measurements and those of the theory for retarded van der Waals interactions supports the methodology. Two relatively new fluorocarbon polymers have been identified as having the lowest known surface free energies of all bulk homogeneous polymeric solids. This study provides confirmation that estimates of solid surface free energies based on contact angle measurements with dispersive organic liquids depend on the dielectric properties of both the liquids and the solid.