Engineering Multifunctional Coatings With Adaptive Wettability, Corrosion Resistance, and Flame Retardancy

ABSTRACT Addressing the growing demand for multifunctional material, we have synthesized and characterized a copolymer, poly(dimethyl(methacryloyloxy)methylphosphonate‐ random ‐octafluoropentyl methacrylate) [poly(MAPC1‐ r ‐OFPMA)], designed to combine dynamic surface interaction, robust metal adhesion, anticorrosion performance, and flame retardancy in a single material. This copolymer architecture integrates phosphonic ester groups with fluorinated segments along its backbone, where the phosphonic functionalities ensure strong adhesion to metallic substrates, a feature critical for anticorrosion applications, while the fluorinated units initially impart high hydrophobicity. In a dynamic water contact angle experiment, the copolymer film exhibited an initial contact angle of approximately 105°, which progressively decreased to 68° over time due to the water‐induced reorientation of hydrophilic moieties at the interface, thereby confirming its adaptive amphiphilic behavior. Complementary studies involved coating iron plates with a crude polymer mixture; scanning electron microscopy revealed a uniform film, and anticorrosion tests in a simulated seawater environment demonstrated significantly reduced corrosion compared to uncoated surfaces. In a further evaluation, a cotton bud was dip‐coated with the copolymer and exposed to a controlled flame, resulting in delayed ignition and rapid self‐extinguishing behavior indicative of effective char formation. These interrelated experiments underscore the multifunctional capabilities of poly(MAPC1‐ r ‐OFPMA) for potential applications in metal protection, fuel cell assembly, battery separation, and fire‐safe textiles.