Synthesis and characterization of low surface energy fluoropolymers as potential barrier coatings in oral care.

A series of low surface energy fluorinated homopolymers and copolymers has been synthesized and characterized using thermal, optical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques. Their utility as barrier technologies in oral care has been considered, and aqueous nanosuspensions of the materials have been deposited as films on model dental hard surfaces in the presence and absence of a salivary pellicle. Calcium hydroxyapatite has been used as a model for enamel, as has PMMA due to its widespread use in denture fabrication. Surface energy determinations, combined with XPS studies, have provided insights into the molecular-level organization at the surface of the film structures. Studies of solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide have identified the polymers that are suitable for processing in this medium. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.