Abstract
Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were obtained by the cationicphotoinduced polymerization of a hydrogenated difunctional vinyl ether (DVE3) and afluorinated monofunctional vinyl ether (FVE). By analyzing the kinetics of polymerizationand the thermal properties of the crosslinked networks, it was demonstrated that themolecular architecture of the photopolymers could be tuned by varying the amount ofthe fluorinated additive. When the weight content of FVE exceeded 15 wt.%, the monofunctionalfluorinated monomer homopolymerized forming linear chains that were dispersedin the hydrogenated matrix composed by the DVE3 crosslinked network, thus generatinga semi-IPN structure. Both bulk and surface properties of the resulting photopolymers wereinfluenced by the addition of the fluorinated product. Fluorinated semi-IPNs were biphasic,displayed good thermal resistance both in air and under nitrogen (T10 > 200 C,T50 > 380 C) and showed a surface energy as low as 26 mN m1.