Abstract: A chemical fullerene derivative is for a proton conducting membrane electrolyte, in which sulfonic acid group SO3M and/or phosphonic acid group PO(OM)2 is directly bonded, but an organic compound is substantially not bonded. A production method is for the chemical fullerene derivative, which uses dimethylacetamide plus water in the case of sulfonation reagent K2SO3 and dioxane in the case of phosphonation reagent LiPO(OEt)2.

Abstract: The present invention provides chemically modified fullerene for a proton conducting membrane electrolyte, in which sulfonic acid group SO3 M and/or phosphonic acid group PO(OM)2 is directly bonded, but an organic compound is substantially not bonded, and a production method for the chemically modified fullerene, which uses dimethylacetamide plus water in the case of sulfonation reagent K2SO3, and dioxane in the case of phosphonation reagent LiPO(OEt)2. Utilizing the chemically modified fullerene of this invention, a proton conducting membrane electrolyte for fuel cell, with which a desulfonation reaction does not occur due to an electrophilic substitution reaction triggered by proton attacks during the operation of fuel cell, is provided.

Abstract: An electrode-membrane assembly comprising a pair of electrodes at least one of which is porous, and a thermoplastic resin membrane having a functional group capable of being modified to a free ion exchange group upon hydrolysis, which is interposed between the two electrodes and partly penetrates into the pores of the electrode. In this arrangement, the ion exchange membrane can be mechanically integrated to the anode and cathode to compensate for the insufficiency of mechanical strength of the ion exchange membrane. Thus, an electrode-membrane assembly which can be used in an industrial electrolytic cell or fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: A phosphorus atom-containing fluorinated cation exchange membrane substantially constituted with the following repeating units (A) and (B), and a proton conduction type fuel cell using the membrane as a solid polymeric electrolyte are provided. One embodiment for the membrane is useful as a perfluoro cationic exchange membrane for use in electrolysis of sodium chloride even under severe electrolytic conditions of higher concentration, higher temperature and higher electric density. (in which m is 0 or 1, n is 2 or 3, X, Y represents H or C6H4SO3H and the ratio for the number of repeating units is (A)/(B)=1.5 to 15).

Abstract: An electrode-membrane assembly comprising a pair of electrodes at least one of which is porous, and a thermoplastic resin membrane having a functional group capable of being modified to a free ion exchange group upon hydrolysis, which is interposed between the two electrodes and partly penetrates into the pores of the electrode. In this arrangement, the ion exchange membrane can be mechanically integrated to the anode and cathode to compensate for the insufficiency of mechanical strength of the ion exchange membrane. Thus, an electrode-membrane assembly which can be used in an industrial electrolytic cell or fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated copolymer is prepared by copolymerization of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1 and l is an integer of 3 to 5, which is prepared from starting materials which are also novel. Said copolymer is useful for preparation of a fluorinated cation exchange membrane having carboxylic acid groups and/or sulfonic acid groups which can be used advantageously in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with improved electrolysis performance.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated cation exchange membrane containing carboxylic acid groups and sulfonic acid groups, both in the form of a specific pendant structure, the carboxylic acid groups being at least 20% on one surface of the membrane and gradually decreasing toward the innerside of the membrane, which membrane is useful in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with advantageously stable performance for a long term under more severe operational conditions than those conventionally used. The membrane can be prepared from a novel copolymer of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, l is an integer of 3 to 5, Z is --S-- or --SO.sub.2 -- and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, an aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 perfluoroalkyl.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated cation exchange membrane containing carboxylic acid groups and sulfonic acid groups, both in the form of a specific pendant structure, the carboxylic acid groups being at least 20% on one surface of the membrane and gradually decreasing toward the innerside of the membrane, which membrane is useful in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with advantageously stable performance for a long term under more severe operational conditions than those conventionally used. The membrane can be prepared from a novel copolymer of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, l is an integer of 3 to 5, Z is --S-- or --SO.sub.2 -- and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, an aryl, Cl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 perfluoroalkyl. Acyl fluorides, which are the precursors of the fluorinated olefin ethers, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated copolymer is prepared by copolymerization of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1 and l is an integer of 3 to 5, which is prepared from starting materials which are also novel. Said copolymer is useful for preparation of a fluorinated cation exchange membrane having carboxylic acid groups and/or sulfonic acid groups which can be used advantageously in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with improved electrolysis performance.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated copolymer is prepared by copolymerization of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1 and l is an integer of 3 to 5, which is prepared from starting materials, which are also novel. Said copolymer is useful for preparation of a fluorinated cation exchange membrane having carboxylic acid groups and/or sulfonic acid groups which can be used advantageously in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with improved electrolysis performance.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated cation exchange membrane containing carboxylic acid groups and sulfonic acid groups, both in the form of a specific pendant structure, the carboxylic acid groups being at least 20% on one surface of the membrane and gradually decreasing toward the innerside of the membrane, which membrane is useful in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with advantageously stable performance for a long term under more severe operational conditions than those conventionally used. The membrane can be prepared from a novel copolymer of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, l is an integer of 3 to 5, Z is --S-- or --SO.sub.2 -- and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, an aryl, Cl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 perfluoroalkyl.

Abstract: A cation exchange membrane prepared from a blend of two different fluorinated polymers, each containing cation exchange groups selected from carboxylic acid groups, sulfonamide groups, N-monosubstituted sulfonamide groups and sulfonic acid groups, having different exchange capacities with a difference of at least 200 therebetween in terms of equivalent weight. This membrane has been found to be useful in the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution and can give improved results in such an electrolysis.

Abstract: A fluorinated cation exchange membrane characterized by the gradual decrease in proportion of the density of carboxylic acid and/or carboxylate groups relative to the total density of carboxylic acid and/or carboxylate groups and sulfonic acid and/or sulfonate groups from one surface of the membrane to the other surface or an internal plane therewithin. The cation exchange membrane of the present invention can be prepared by treating one surface of a membrane comprising a fluorocarbon polymer containing pendant groups of the formula:--OCF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 SO.sub.2 Xwherein each X independently is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydrogen, ammonium, a quaternary ammonium or a metal atom, with a treating agent having a reducing activity in the presence of a reaction controlling agent selected from carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, alcohols, nitriles and ethers.

Abstract: A method for producing a fluorinated copolymer membrane comprising a first layer made from a fluorinated copolymer having pendant sulfonylchloride groups and a second layer made from a fluorinated copolymer having sulfonylfluoride groups. The membrane is treated with a reducing agent to introduce carboxylic acid groups onto the surface of said first layer. The membrane may be used as a cation exchange membrane. If necessary, a supporting material may be embedded in the second layer.

Abstract: A fluorinated cation exchange membrane characterized by the gradual decrease in proportion of the density of carboxylic acid and/or carboxylate groups relative to the total density of carboxylic acid and/or carboxylate groups and sulfonic acid and/or sulfonate groups from one surface of the membrane to the other surface or an internal plane therewithin. The cation exchange membrane of the present invention can be prepared by treating one surface of a membrane comprising a fluorocarbon polymer containing pendant groups of the formula:--OCF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 SO.sub.2 Xwherein each X independently is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydrogen, ammonium, a quaternary ammonium or a metal atom,with a treating agent having a reducing activity in the presence of a reaction controlling agent selected from carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, alcohols, nitriles and ethers.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated copolymer is prepared by copolymerization of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinyl ether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1 and l is an integer of 3 to 5, which is prepared from starting materials which are also novel. Said copolymer is useful for preparation of a fluorinated cation exchange membrane having carboxylic acid groups and/or sulfonic acid groups which can be used advantageously in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with improved electrolysis performance.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated cation exchange membrane containing carboxylic acid groups and sulfonic acid groups, both in the form of a specific pendant structure, the carboxylic acid groups being at least 20% on one surface of the membrane and gradually decreasing toward the innerside of the membrane, which membrane is useful in electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution with advantageously stable performance for a long term under more severe operational conditions than those conventionally used. The membrane can be prepared from a novel copolymer of a fluorinated olefin with a novel sulfur containing fluorinated vinylether of the formula: ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, l is an integer of 3 to 5, Z is --S-- or --SO.sub.2 -- and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, an aryl, Cl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 perfluoroalkyl.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having anode and cathode chambers separated by a cation exchange membrane comprising a fluorocarbon polymer containing pendant carboxylic acid or salt groups of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a group containing perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkoxy having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and M is hydrogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal or ammonium as a surface stratum on the cathode side of the membrane.

Abstract: Cation exchange membrane comprising a fluorocarbon polymer characterized by the presence of pendant carboxylic acid groups of the formula -- OCF.sub.2 COOH -- and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous alkali metal halide solution is electrolyzed in an electrolytic cell using a cation exchange membrane which is a fluorocarbon polymer containing sulfonic acid groups and at least one cation exchange group which is less acidic than the sulfonic acid group with higher proportion of the latter in surface stratum on the cathode side of the membrane than in the entire membrane, while controling proton concentration in the anolyte at not higher than critical proton concentration at which no substantial amount of protons in the anolyte penetrate into the membrane.This invention relates to a process for electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution using a cation exchange membrane comprising a fluorocarbon polymer containing sulfonic acid groups and at least one cation exchange group with weaker acidity than the sulfonic acid group.