Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups by crosslinking through the sulfonic acid groups or their precursors with aromatic crosslinkers or aromatic pendent crosslinking groups to form aromatic sulfones. Such crosslinked polymers may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided to make acid functional fluoropolymers by: a) dehydrofluorinating a starting fluoropolymer with a dehydrofluorinating agent to form an unsaturated fluoropolymer; b) adding an acidifiable nucleophilic functionalizing agent to a double bond of the unsaturated fluoropolymer; and c) acidifying the added acidifiable function. Acid functional fluoropolymers and ion conducting membranes thereof are also provided, including acid functional fluoropolymer having pendent groups according to the formula: —X—Ar—An, wherein X is selected from O, S or NR, where R is selected from H and C1-C30 alkyl or aryl, which are optionally substituted, wherein Ar is a C6-C30 aromatic group, which is optionally substituted, wherein A is an acidic function or salt thereof, wherein a can be independently chosen to be 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A monomer useful in the formulation of a radiation curable coatable composition comprises (a) polyfunctional isocyanurate having at least three terminal reactive groups reacted with (b) hydroxyalkyl acrylate and (c) tertiary amine alcohol in a molar ratio of a:b:c of about 1:1-2.5:0.5-2, wherein b+c is at least 3 and no greater than the total number of terminal reactive groups of (a). The monomer is included in a radiation curable coatable composition suitable for use as a floor finish and in a floor finishing system comprising the foregoing coatable composition with a primer. A method for the treatment of a substrate using the floor finish and the floor finishing system is also described.

Abstract: A monomer useful in the formulation of a radiation curable coatable composition comprises (a) polyfunctional isocyanurate having at least three terminal reactive groups reacted with (b) hydroxyalkyl acrylate and (c) tertiary amine alcohol in a molar ratio of a:b:c of about 1:1-2.5:0.5-2, wherein b+c is at least 3 and no greater than the total number of terminal reactive groups of (a). The monomer is included in a radiation curable coatable composition suitable for use as a floor finish and in a floor finishing system comprising the foregoing coatable composition with a primer. A method for the treatment of a substrate using the floor finish and the floor finishing system is also described.

Abstract: Methods are provided to make acid functional fluoropolymers by: a) dehydrofluorinating a starting fluoropolymer with a dehydrofluorinating agent to form an unsaturated fluoropolymer; b) adding an acidifiable nucleophilic functionalizing agent to a double bond of the unsaturated fluoropolymer; and c) acidifying the added acidifiable function. Acid functional fluoropolymers and ion conducting membranes thereof are also provided, including acid functional fluoropolymer having pendent groups according to the formula: —X—Ar—An, wherein X is selected from O, S or NR, where R is selected from H and C1-C30 alkyl or aryl, which are optionally substituted, wherein Ar is a C6-C30 aromatic group, which is optionally substituted, wherein A is an acidic function or salt thereof, wherein a can be independently chosen to be 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: Methods are provided to make acid functional fluoropolymers by: a) dehydrofluorinating a starting fluoropolymer with a dehydrofluorinating agent to form an unsaturated fluoropolymer; b) adding an acidifiable nucleophilic functionalizing agent to a double bond of the unsaturated fluoropolymer; and c) acidifying the added acidifiable function. Acid functional fluoropolymers and ion conducting membranes thereof are also provided, including acid functional fluoropolymer having pendent groups according to the formula: —X—Ar—An, wherein X is selected from O, S or NR, where R is selected from H and C1-C30 alkyl or aryl, which are optionally substituted, wherein Ar is a C6-C30 aromatic group, which is optionally substituted, wherein A is an acidic function or salt thereof, wherein a can be independently chosen to be 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: Compositions containing conductivity enhancers, which are capable of being coated onto a substrate by means of electrostatic assistance. The compositions comprise one or more cationically polymerizable monomer(s), one or more cationic initiator(s), and one or more non-volatile conductivity enhancer(s) having anionic and cationic portions which are soluble in the monomer(s) and which do not interfere with cationic polymerization wherein the anionic portion is a non-coordinating carbon-containing anion. The compositions may further comprise one or more dissociation enhancing agent(s), oligomer(s) or polymer(s), preferably co-reactive, free-radically curable monomer(s), free-radical generating initiator(s), leveling agents, and other additives or adjuvants to impart specific properties to the polymerized composition.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition is featured that includes a solid, ionically conductive polymer, organically modified oxide particles that include organic groups covalently bonded to the oxide particles, and an alkali metal salt. The electrolyte composition is free of lithiated zeolite. The invention also features cells that incorporate the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: A monomer useful in the formulation of a radiation curable coatable composition comprises (a) polyfunctional isocyanurate having at least three terminal reactive groups reacted with (b) hydroxyalkyl acrylate and (c) tertiary amine alcohol in a molar ratio of a:b:c of about 1:1-2.5:0.5-2, wherein b+c is at least 3 and no greater than the total number of terminal reactive groups of (a). The monomer is included in a radiation curable coatable composition suitable for use as a floor finish and in a floor finishing system comprising the foregoing coatable composition with a primer. A method for the treatment of a substrate using the floor finish and the floor finishing system is also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for making crosslinked acidic polymers useful as ion conductive membranes, such as crosslinked sulfonated polyether ketones, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polystyrenes, and other acidic polymers, by crosslinking with a species which generates an acidic functionality. The crosslinker preferably binds to acid functions by conversion of acid groups to imide functionality, which, due to the acidity of the N-H bonds therein, compensate for the acidity lost by the occupation of the acid groups and thus preserve membrane conductivity while contributing to membrane strength and resistance to swelling.

Abstract: Battery electrolytes are described which include particular imide and methide conductive salts having mixed fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon groups. These salts exhibit excellent conductivity in electrolytes and are described as useful in electrochemical cells, such as lithium batteries.

Abstract: A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.

Abstract: A fluorochemical treatment composition comprises (a) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of substantially discrete, substantially monodisperse in size, polymer-grafted, inorganic microparticles in liquid; and (b) at least one fluorochemical. The composition can be used to impart durable water and oil repellency, stain release, and dry soil resistance to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: Water-based coating compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of surface-modified, inorganic microparticles in liquid; at least one of the components (a), (b), and (c) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The compositions can be used to form hard coatings having low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition that includes a salt disposed in a matrix in which the salt has a formula selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## in which X.sup.- is --O.sup.-, --N.sup.- SO.sub.2 R.sub.f.sup.3, or ##STR2## Z is --CF.sub.2 --, --O--, --NR.sub.f.sup.8 --, or --SF.sub.4 --; R.sub.f.sup.1 and R.sub.f.sup.2, independently, are --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.m F.sub.2m+1, or --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --SO.sub.2 --X.sup.- M.sup.+ ; R.sub.f.sup.3, R.sub.f.sup.4, and R.sub.f.sup.5, independently, are --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.mf.sub.2m+1, --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --X.sup.- M.sup.+, ##STR3## R.sub.f.sup.8 is --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.m F.sub.2m+1, or --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --SO.sub.2 --X.sup.- M.sup.+ ; R.sub.f.sup.6 and R.sub.f.sup.7, independently, are perfluoroalkylene moieties having the formula --C.sub.r F.sub.2r ; n is 1-4; r is 1-4; m is 1-12; q is 1-4; and M.sup.+ is a counterion.