Low Surface Energy Inorganic Polymers

Abstract

Most inorganic polymers have been developed for high thermal stability but there is considerable potential for obtaining low surface energy polymers as well. Semi-inorganic polymers with fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon pendent groups is the most promising area. The well-established example of silicone polymers is used to develop guidelines for such materials with an emphasis on low intermolecular forces between pendent groups and high chain flexibility. Polyphosphazenes are the most promising developing example and other possibilities include metallosiloxanes and metalloxanes.

Key Words:

• low surface energy polymers
• silicones
• polydimethylsiloxane
• polyphosphazenes
• fluorocarbon-containing (semi-inorganic) polymers
• low intermolecular forces
• high chain flexibility
• critical surface tension of wetting (of polymers)
• glass transition temperatures (of polymers)