Cyclic Perfluoropolyether: Distinct Film Formability and Thermostabilization Upon Recyclable Cyclic–Linear Topological Transformation

Abstract

Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) is an industrially important fluoropolymer and has great industrial importance due to its flexible, noncombustible, and chemically robust properties. However, exploration and application of chemically modified homogeneous PFPEs are hampered by their immiscibility against nonfluorine‐containing molecules. Here, the synthesis is reported of cyclic PFPE with hexaarylbiimidazoles (HABIs) in chains from linear PFPE having 2,4,5‐triphenylimidazole (lophine) end groups. While phase separation between the end groups and main chains took place for linear PFPE, HABIs and main chains in cyclic PFPE are miscible to form transparent glass films. The design of cyclic PFPE also enables cyclic to linear topological transformation based on conversion of HABIs into lophines upon mild heating in the glass film state. Sequential linear‐to‐cyclic and cyclic‐to‐linear topological transformations enable fabrication of thermostabilized transparent films derived from PFPE.