Abstract: Cerium oxide (CeO2) coated silica (SiO2) particles that optionally include inorganic groups —SO2X and processes to prepare such particles are provided. The addition of the cerium oxide coated silica particles to fluorinated polymers containing sulfonic acid functional groups increases their stability towards radical degradation when used in fuel cell applications or in electrolysis applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain dispersible ionomer powders made of particles consisting in quasi-spherical hollow agglomerates of elementary particles, to a method for their manufacture involving spray-drying of a latex of said ionomer, and to methods of using the same, notably for coating applications

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers comprising a composition comprising a fluorinated polymer comprising a plurality of ion exchange groups or a precursor thereof and an aromatic polyamide-imide polymer. The fibers are obtained by electrospinning or forcespinning a composition comprising a fluorinated polymer comprising a plurality of ion exchange groups or a precursor thereof and an aromatic polyamide-imide polymer. The fibers can be arranged into webs suitable for the preparation of composite membranes. In particular composite ion exchange membranes suitable for use in proton exchange fuel cells or filtration devices.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymers comprising ion exchange groups using certain polymeric derivatives including a plurality of ionic groups selected from the group consisting of —SO3Xa and —COOXa, whereas Xa is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal. The invention further relates to fluoropolymer dispersions comprising the fluorinated polymer with ion exchange groups and the polymeric derivative including ionic groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that include a fluorinated allyl xanthate group of formula (I). The invention also relates to a process for making these compounds and the use of said compounds as chain transfer agents or as monomers. The invention relates also to polymers, including copolymers, comprising units deriving from compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for making an electrolyte layer suitable for use in an electrochromic device, combining transparency and adhesion to glazing, to an electrolyte layer obtained therefrom, to an electrochromic device comprising the same, and to its use as glazing.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polymeric derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO3Xa, —PO3Xa and —COOXa, whereas Xa is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain dispersible ionomer powders made of particles consisting in quasi-spherical hollow agglomerates of elementary particles, to a method for their manufacture involving spray-drying of a latex of said ionomer, and to methods of using the same, notably for coating applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked polymer comprising reacting at least one polymer having at least one —SO2X group, with X being F or Cl, a basic compound, and certain salts including a ring-quaternized pyridinium-type nitrogen, and possessing at least two groups in ortho or para position thereto comprising reactive hydrogen atoms; cross-linking has been proven to proceed effectively, delivering cross-linked polymers possessing improved chemical resistance and mechanical performances.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain reactive oligomeric dispersing agents, of given molecular weight, comprising I and/or Br, and a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO3Xa, —PO3Xa and —COOXa, whereas Xa is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polymeric derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO3Xa, —PO3Xa and —COOXa, whereas Xa is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid composition comprising a polymer bearing —SO3H groups and a perfluoroelastomer, a method for manufacturing said liquid composition and an article manufactured by using said composition. Preferably, said article is a proton exchange membrane, which shows at the same time good mechanical resistance and electrochemical properties and is useful for example as separator in fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer assembly comprising a metallic layer, that is coated at least on one side with a polymeric composition, a method for the preparation of said assembly and an electrochemical cell comprising said multilayer assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked polymer comprising reacting at least one polymer having at least one —SO2X group, with X being F or Cl, a basic compound, and certain salts including a ring-quaternized pyridinium-type nitrogen, and possessing at least two groups in ortho or para position thereto comprising reactive hydrogen atoms; cross-linking has been proven to proceed effectively, delivering cross-linked polymers possessing improved chemical resistance and mechanical performances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the isolation of (per)fluorinated polymers containing sulfonyl fluoride functional groups from a polymerization latex. The process comprises adding the polymerization latex to an aqueous electrolyte solution under high shear stirring at a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The invention further relates to the (per)fluorinated polymers containing sulfonyl fluoride functional groups isolated by the process and characterised by a loss of weight at 200° C. lower than 1% as determined by thermogravimetric analysis.

Abstract: Microporous membrane composites that are non-dewetting are disclosed. These microporous membrane composites are wet with solutions of methanol and water and are non-dewetting following autoclave treatment in water. The microporous membrane composites comprise a microporous membrane support that is coated with a crosslinked ionomer comprising hydrophilic groups. Compared to the microporous membrane support, the microporous membrane composite has a flow loss on average in isopropyl alcohol of less than 82%.

Abstract: A liquid composition comprising at least one aprotic organic solvent and at least one fluorinated ion exchange polymer which consists of recurring units derived from a chlorofluoroolefin of formula CF2?CCIY, wherein Y is F or CI, and from at least one fluorinated functional monomer selected among those of formula CF2?CF—O—(CF2CF(CF3)O)m—(CF2)nSO2X, wherein m is an integer equal to 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 10 and X is chosen among halogens (CI, F, Br, I), —O?M+, wherein M+ is a cation selected among H+, NH4+, K+, Li+, Na+, or mixtures thereof is disclosed. The liquid composition is suitable for the preparation of ion exchange membranes, in particular composite membranes, for use in fuel cell applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the one-pot hydrogenation and dehydration or isomerization of an organic compound, and to a catalyst composition for this process comprising transition metal particles having particle size below 50 nm supported on a material comprising at least one fluorinated polymer (P), wherein polymer (P) bears —SO2X functional groups, X being selected from X? and OM, X? being selected from the groups consisting of F, Cl, Br and I; and M being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkaline metal and NH4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing at least one ether compound, comprising reacting at least one alcohol (I) with at least one polyol (II) in the presence of a functional polymer [polymer (F)] as a catalyst (X), wherein: the alcohol (I) is represented by the general formula (1): R1-OH (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, the polyol (II) is represented by the general formula (2): R2-(OH) m (2) wherein R2 represents the skeleton moiety of the polyol and m is an integer of from 2 to 20, and polymer (F) is a polymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer [monomer (M)] and bearing at least one cation exchange group. Further disclosed is a surfactant composition obtained by said process, and featuring an excellent detergency performance.

Abstract: A mixed oxide of Si and at least one metal M comprising inorganic groups —SO3H. The addition of the mixed oxide to fluorinated polymers containing sulfonic acid functional groups increases their stability towards radical degradation when used in fuel cell applications.