FLUORINATED CELLULOSE ESTERS AS SURFACE-MODIFYING ADDITIVES IN CELLULOSE COATING SYSTEMS

Kibley Parker and Dr. Wolfgang Glasser
National Science Foundation and Technology Center:
High Performance Polymeric Adhesive and Composites, and
Wood Science and Forest Products Department
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia

ABSTRACT

Cellulose blends and derivatives are excellent materials as reinforcements and biomaterials such as implants. In this project, cellulose derivatives were blended in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with various concentrations of a previously synthesized fluorinated cellulose ester. Films were cast in 2.5 wt. percent solutions and analyzed by the naked eye for miscibility. Glass microscope slides were prepared with 5 weight percent solutions and analyzed by way of contact angle and surface free energy. The objective is to synthesize a cellulosic material of varying surface hydrophobicity.