Properties of Films Obtained by UV-Curing 4,4’-Hexafluoro-Isopropylidene-Diphenol-Dihydroxy-Ethylether Diacrylate and Its Mixture with Hydrogenated Homologue

A new ultraviolet (UV)-curable acrylic monomer. 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene-diphenoldihydroxyethylether diacrylate, was synthesized: it was cured as a film and its properties compared with those of its fully hydrogenated homologue. The introduction of two CF3 groups into the monomer did not change its reactivity in the UV-curing reaction, but increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured polymeric film, decreased its refractive index (n), and lowered its surface tension. The fluorinated and the hydrogenated monomers were completely miscible and give homogeneous films: the Tg and n values were found linearly dependent on the fluorinated monomer content. The surface properties were deeply influenced by the presence of fluorine; a surface enrichment of the fluorinated monomer was evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses on the surfaces of the films obtained from mixtures of the two monomers.