A new class of fluorinated acrylic polymers for stone protective materials

New fluorinated polymeric materials with variable fluorine content and distribution were prepared by free radical polymerization of acrylic or methacrylic esters of different fluorinated alcohols such as trifluoromethylethanol, pentafluoropropanol and perfluorodecanol (CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2 OH). Different copolymers of the above monomers with nonfluorinated comonomers were also prepared. THese materials were subjected to preliminary tests for photooxidative stability and stone protection efficiency. Fourier-transform infrared analysis show that the fluorinated systems display, in general, only moderately better stability with respect to nonfluorinated analogs. Stone protection behaviour seems to be very dependent on fluorine content but also on the nature of the lithotype. In particular, polypentafluopropylmethacrylate (PPFPM) maintains a very good hydrorepellency after many hours. Other parameters (contact angle and color index) show less clear trends, indicating the need for additional research. --