Effect of crosslinker on the wettability and mechanical properties of hydrophobic coatings deposited via atmospheric pressure plasma

Hydrophobic coatings based on dodecyl acrylate (DOCA) and perfluorodecyl (PFDA) have been generated via “postdischarge” atmospheric pressure plasma deposition. These exhibit a water contact angle (WCA) of around 125° but are accompanied by poor mechanical strength. To improve this property, two different types chemical crosslinkers, that is, hexanediol methacrylate (HDMA) diacrylate (HDA), incorporated into the precursor mixture. After polymerization, both with crosslinkers admixture show wettability behavior. The addition HDMA reduces WCA while increasing strength, HDA retains initial magnitude also changes related to variations surface free energy (SFE) topography coatings.