Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing compounds of formula (I-A) or (I-B) here below: by reaction of perfluoroallylfluorosulfate (FAFS) of formula (II): with at least one hypofluorite of formula (II-A) or (II-B): wherein: RF in formulae (I-A) and (II-A) is a monovalent fluorocarbon C1-C20 group, optionally comprising oxygen catenary atoms, optionally comprising functional groups comprising heteroatoms (e.g. —SO2F groups); R?F in formulae (I-B) and (II-B) is a divalent fluorocarbon C1-C6 group, preferably a group of formula wherein X1 and X2, equal to or different from each other, are independently a fluorine atom or a C1-C3 fluorocarbon group. The FAFS-hypofluorite adducts of formulae (I-A) and (I-B) can be produced with high selectivity so as to access useful intermediates which can further be reacted taking advantage of the un-modified fluorosulfate group chemistry.

Abstract: This invention pertains to sealing articles of vulcanized (per)fluoroelastomer compositions incorporating particles of a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymers having a Shore A hardness of at least 85 when determined according to ASTM D 2240 Type A Durometer method, and a compression set of less than 30%, when determined according to ASTM D395 at 200° C. for 70 h on O-ring according to ASTM D1414, and to a process for their manufacture by vulcanizing-molding and thermal post-treating at a temperature above the melting point of the VDF polymer.

Abstract: Fluorinated lubricants of formula: T-O-[A-B]z-[A-B?]z?-A-T???(I) wherein: A=—(X)a—O-A?-(X?)b wherein A? is a perfluoropolyether chain comprising units (CF2O), (CF2CF2O), (CF2CF2CF2O), (CF2CF2CF2CF2O); X, X?=—CF2—, —CF2CF2—; a, b=0 or 1; B derives from olefins, of which at least one homopolymerizable by radical route, of formula: —[(CR1R2—CR3R4)j(CR5R6—CR7R8)j?]—??(Ia) wherein j=1-5, j?=0-4 and 2<(j+j?)<5; R1-R8=halogen, H, C1-C6 (per)haloalkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 oxy(per)-fluoroalkyl; z?2; z? is 0 or an integer; z, z? are such that the number average molecular weight of the polymer of formula (I) is in the range 500-500,000; B?=(Ia) but at least one of R1-R8 has a meaning different than that in B and 2?(j+j?)<5; T, T?=C1-C3 perfluoroalkyl, C1-C6 alkyl and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Extrudable (per)fluoroelastomer compositions comprising crosslinkable (per)fluoroelastomers having: at least two glass transition temperatures Tg on DSC analysis, at least one melting peak on DSC analysis with a ?H of second melting of between 0.3 and 5.5 J/g, and a bimodal molecular weight distribution such that the ratio Mn1/Mn2 is between 10 and 30, wherein Mn1 represents the number-average molecular weight of the distribution of the high molecular weight fluoroelastomer and Mn2 represents the number-average molecular weight of the distribution of the low molecular weight fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: A fluoroelastomer composition comprising: at least one fluoroelastomer [fluoroelastomer (A)]; from 0.1 to 25 phr (with respect to fluoroelastomer (A)) of at least one melt-processable per(halo)fluoropolymer having a melting point of at most 250° C. [polymer (F)]; and optionally at least one (per)fluoropolyether [(per)fluoropolyether (E)]. The incorporation of the polymer (F) in the fluoroelastomer composition as described above enables easier processing of the fluoroelastomer composition, both in injection molding and extrusion molding technologies, yielding improved behavior in mold release, mold fouling, and aspect surface of the molded parts.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for operating a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), said PEMFC comprising: (a) a membrane comprising at least one fluorinated ionomer [polymer (I)] comprising recurring units derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and from at least one monomer of formula (M): wherein m is an integer between 1 and 6 and X? is chosen among halogens (Cl, F, Br, I), —O?M+, wherein M+ is a cation selected among H+, NH4+, K+, Li+, Na+, or mixtures thereof, said polymer (I) having an equivalent weight (EW) of from 700 to 850 g/eq.; (b) a cathode; (c) an anode; said process comprising: (i) feeding gaseous reactants at the electrodes at a relative humidity of at most 66%; (ii) maintaining an average current density between 0.05 and 1.5 A/cm2; and (iii) maintaining an average temperature of more than 65° C.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions comprising: 1) at least one thermoprocessable semicrystalline halo-polymer; 2) an additive in amounts between 0.01 and 10% by weight of 1) one or more (per)fluoropolyether polymers of formula: Q-O-[A-B]z-[A-B?]z?-A-Q???(I) wherein: A=—(X)a—O-A?-(X?)b— wherein A? is a perfluoropolyether chain; X, X?=—CF2—, —CF2CF2—, —CF(CF3)—; a, b=0 or 1; B derives from one or more olefins, of which at least one homopolymerizable by radical way, of formula: —[(CR1R2—CR3R4)j(CR5R6—CR7R8)j?]—??(Ia) wherein j=1-30, j?=0-29, with the proviso that 2<(j+j?)<30; R1-R8=halogen, H, C1-C6 (per)haloalkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, or C1-C6 oxy(per)fluoroalkyl; B?=(Ia) but at least one of R1-R8 has a meaning different from that in B, and 2?(j+j?)<30; z?2; z? is 0 or an integer; z, z? are such that the number average molecular weight of (I) is between 500 and 500,000; Q, Q?=C1-C3 perfluoroalkyl; C1-C6 alkyl; or functional end group(s).

Abstract: Aromatic hydrogenated polymers comprising perfluoropolyether (PFPE) chains bonded to the aromatic rings to form sequences randomly distributed in the polymer structure, having the formula (I): (T1-CF2O—Rf—CF2)n-T3 in which: n is an integer from 1 to 10; T1 is an aromatic group of the backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, or alternatively condensed aromatic groups; T3 may be equal to T1, or alternatively a functional group —COOH or —COF; Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain, in which the starting hydrogenated aromatic polymers are obtained by polycondensation, stepwise polyaddition or polyaddition of cyclic monomers in which the ring is formed by at least 3 atoms.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for stabilizing a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer comprising ion exchange groups, said process comprising: suspending at least one semi-crystalline fluoropolymer having ion exchange groups [polymer (I)] in at least one fluorinated organic dispersing medium [medium (M)] so as to obtain a dispersion (D) of polymer (I) in a dispersing medium (M); contacting said dispersion (D) with fluorine under irradiation with U.V. radiation so as to obtain a stabilized polymer. Still objects of the invention are a stable semi-crystalline fluoropolymer as above defined having a low amount of unstable ends groups of —COF type, the use of the stabilized fluoropolymer obtained by the process or of the stable fluoropolymer in fuel cells devices, a membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising said fluoropolymers.

Abstract: Vulcanizable fluoroelastomer compositions comprising: A) a fluoroelastomer matrix based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with a Mooney viscosity (1+10) at 121° C. of less than 35 MU (Mooney Units) measured according to ASTM standard D 1646; and B) a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer, in an amount of from 20% to 70% by weight relative to the total weight of A)+B), the semi-crystalline fluoropolymer being constituted of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) homopolymers and copolymers of TFE with one or more monomers containing at least one unsaturation of ethylenic type, in an amount of from 0.01 to 10 mol %, said semi-crystalline fluoropolymer having a mean particle size between 10 and 400 nm.

Abstract: A (per)fluoroelastomeric composition curable by peroxidic way comprising: 100 phr as (per)fluoroelastomer as filler, 0.5-50 phr of silica having a pH value, determined according to the DIN ISO 787-9 standard, higher than 7, preferably higher than 8, as crosslinking agent, from 0.5 to 10 phr of a bis-olefin having general formula: wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, equal to or different from each other, are H or C1-C5 alkyls; Z is selected between a C1-C18 linear or branched alkylene or cycloalkylene radical, optionally containing oxygen atoms, preferably at least partially fluorinated, or a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene radical.

Abstract: A process for producing a perfluorinated functional compound is disclosed, which comprises: A. converting an at least partially hydrogenated alcohol into an at least partially hydrogenated fluoroformate compound; B. reacting said at least partially hydrogenated fluoroformate compound with fluorine in the presence of at least one (per)haloolefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having at least one fluorine or chlorine atom on either one of the carbon atoms of said double bond, to obtain a perfluorinated fluoroformate compound.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective film for a solar cell module, to a process for manufacturing said protective film and to a solar cell module comprising said protecting and to a method for protecting a solar cell module comprising using of such protective film.

Abstract: A composite ionomeric membrane comprising a layer or film of a porous inert material on which a (per) fluorinated sulphonic ionomer is deposited wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having: equivalent weight comprised between 280 and 1,700 g/eq; side chains of formula: —O—CF2—CF2—SO3—M+, wherein M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal; said membrane having in each of the two orthogonal directions xy of the plane, after dipping in demineralized water at 100° C. for 30 minutes and preliminary drying at 105° C. under vacuum for one hour, the following size variations: in one direction, size variation lower than 25%; in the other direction, size variation lower than 20%.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [mixture (M)]. Such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPE (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3)-CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH. Such mixture (M) comprising the polyol (P) and at least one PFPE (OH) different from the polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1)-CF2CH2OH and formula (t2)-CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol(per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives, such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPEs (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, such mixture (M) comprising said polyol (P) and at least one hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivative [PFPE (OH)] different from polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1): —CF2CH2OH and formula (t2): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one triazole group, such process comprising: (1) reacting a (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative having at least one hydroxyl group [derivative (PFPE-OH)] with an activating agent, to yield an activated (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative comprising at least one activated hydroxyl group [derivative (a-PFPE-OH)]; (2) reacting said activated (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative [derivative (a-PFPE-OH)] with at least one azide salt to yield a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one azido group [derivative (PFPE-N3)]; and (3) reacting said functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one azido group [derivative (PFPE-N3)] with a hydrocarbon compound having a terminal alkyne group to yield a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one triazole group [derivative (PFPE-azole)].

Abstract: A method for replicating a pattern, comprising: (a) providing a patterned template comprising a patterned template surface having a plurality of recessed or protruded areas formed therein; (b) contacting a volume of a curable perfluoropolyether composition [composition (C)] with the patterned template surface, the composition C comprising: at least one functional perfluoropolyether compound [compound (E)] which comprises a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain [chain (Rf)], wherein the molecular weight of the chain Rf is more than 1000 and less than 3500, and at least two unsaturated moieties; and at least one photoinitiator; (c) submitting to UV radiations the composition (C) to yield a mold comprising a patterned mold surface, and separating the mold from the patterned template; (d) contacting the patterned mold surface with a (pre)polymer composition [composition (P)]; (e) processing the composition (P) to yield an article having a patterned surface, and separating the article from the mold.

Abstract: A peroxide curable perfluoroelastomer comprising: recurring units derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE); and recurring units derived from perfluoromethylvinylether (MVE); such perfluoroelastomer possessing a Mooney Viscosity (ML2+9) at 121° C. of from 25 to 140 MU, when measured according to ASTM D1646 standard, and comprising such MVE recurring units in an amount of from 26 to 33% by moles with respect to total moles of TFE and MVE. A process for the manufacture of such perfluoroelastomer, and cured articles obtainable therefrom.