New fluorinated cyclophosphazenes: synthesis, properties, applications

The work presents the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated cyclophosphazenes, which are readily soluble in supercritical CO₂ and can be used as textile finishing chemicals in a supercritical CO₂ deposition process. The reaction of hexachlorocyclophosphazene with sodium alcoholate of 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-1-octanol was performed. The reaction product analysis suggested that all parent hexachlorocyclophosphazene molecules participated in the reaction, 4- and 5-substituted fluorinated cyclophosphazene molecules comprised most of the reaction product. Cloud point measurements confirmed that the product is soluble in supercritical CO₂ at moderate conditions. Fluorinated cyclophosphazene coating was deposited from solutions in supercritical CO₂ onto cotton textile. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the coating is deposited uniformly. The textile after treatment was hydrophobic with an initial contact angle of 106 ± 8 degrees. The obtained fluorinated cyclophosphazenes can be considered as building blocks for the further development of phosphazenes that are soluble in sc CO₂ and can be used as hydrophobic finishing chemicals with improved properties.