A variety of fluorosilicate compounds exhibit surface energies &lt; 20 mJ/m<sup>2</sup>, however only some of these compounds are practically useful for the creation of oleophobic or superoleophobic surfaces. One of the less recognized factors that influences the usefulness of fluorosilicates for low-energy-surface applications is the fugacity (that is, the rate of migration in response to chemical potential differences). For instance, compounds with a high fugacity may sublime away at surfaces, limiting the durability of oleophobic surfaces even in the absence of mechanical damage. On the other hand, compounds with a very low fugacity may not migrate to surfaces fast enough to concentrate sufficiently, thereby limiting the oleophobicity of solid mixtures containing these compounds. Fluorodecyl-substituted silicates based on T8 and M2 silicate moieties were utilized to investigate these effects in mixtures with PMMA in films formed by spin casting, using a wide variety of techniques including profilometry, contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy with mapping, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (including mapping), solubility analysis, and thermgravimetric analysis.

Influence of fugacity on wetting and adhesion characteristics of fluorosilicate-containing surfaces

254th National Meeting (2017)

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