Synthesis of fluorinated copolymers and their applications as pressure-responsive materials

Pressure-sensitive paints (PSPs) have been demonstrated to be very important for aerodynamics research. In order to improve the pressure sensitivity and adhesion ability of PSP, herein, a series of fluorine-containing copolymers compositing of an oxygen and pressure-responsive probe derived from platinum(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin (PtTFPP) named as poly[(tBs) a - co -(TFEM) b - co -(PtTFPP-1MA) c ] were synthesized and investigated as PSPs. These PSPs were constructed with different fluorine ratios for the investigation of the effect of fluorine contents on PSPs. Especially, PSP (F 0.33 ) with the trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEM) molar ratio of 33% in the copolymers could adhere well to the surface of an aircraft model. F 0.33 showed high oxygen sensitivity ( I 0 / I 100 = 32.87), reasonable response time to oxygen (44 s), high pressure sensitivity ( S P = 0.75%/kPa at 20°C) and low temperature response ( S T = −0.77%/°C at 100 kPa). F 0.33 was further sprayed on the surface of a delta wing of an aircraft model and its pressure response was verified in a wind tunnel. The data from F 0.33 film at the same wind speed and position were close to the pressure data measured by using traditional method using open pressure holes, showing the potential application of these PSPs.