Amphiphilic Polyacrylates for Peelable Cleaning Coatings

ABSTRACT Peelable coatings offer a simple, low‐damage approach for removing surface contaminants. Here, we develop a series of amphiphilic polyacrylate copolymers as peelable cleaning coatings via free‐radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), hydrophilic methoxy polyethylene glycol acrylate (mPEGA‐400), and lipophilic lauryl acrylate (LA). By varying Peelable coatings offer a simple, low‐damage approach for removing surface contaminants. By varying the mPEGA‐400/LA ratio, the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) is systematically tuned and correlated with solution surface tension and substrate wettability. The resulting coatings combine low interfacial adhesion for easy peeling with sufficient cohesion to enable intact film removal. Mechanical testing and 180° peel measurements confirm that composition governs the trade‐off between strength and ductility while maintaining peelability. Cleaning performance is demonstrated using representative contaminants, including dust (fumed silica), fingerprints, and silicone grease, where the coatings effectively wet, encapsulate, and remove residues, restoring optical transparency after peeling. Overall, this work establishes an adaptable amphiphilic polyacrylate platform for peelable cleaning coatings, offering a practical route toward efficient and customizable surface protection and cleaning.