Abstract: The present invention pertains a fluoropolymer [polymer (F)] comprising: —recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer [monomer (FM)]; —from 5% to 60% by moles [with respect to the total moles of recurring units of polymer (F)] of recurring units derived at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer containing at least one —SO2F functional group [monomer (IO)]; and —from 0.01% to 10% by moles [with respect to the total moles of recurring units of polymer (F)] of recurring units derived from at least one monomer comprising an azide group [monomer (Az)], to a process for its manufacture, to a cross-linkable composition comprising the same, to a process for cross-linking the same and to articles comprising the cross-linked polymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cross-linked fluorinated polymers comprising sulfonic acid functional groups comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one fluorinated polymer (P) comprising at least one —SO3M functional group and less than 2% of —SO2F functional groups with respect to the total amount of —SO3M and —SO2F functional groups, wherein each M is selected from H and alkaline metals; and b) reacting said fluorinated polymer with at least one cross-linking agent of formula R(X)n under conditions that promote the formation of covalent bonds between the at least one functional group —SO3M of fluorinated polymer (P) and at least one functional group X of the cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorinated ionomer [polymer (I)] comprising recurring units derived from at least the following monomers: (i) 5 to 50% by weight of a fluorinated monomer [monomer (A)] containing at least one —SO2X functionality, preferably having the formula of CF2?CF—O—(CF2CF(CF3)O)m—(CF2)mSO2X (I) wherein m is 0 or 1, n is an integer between 0-10, and X is selected from F, OH, and O?Me+, wherein Me+ indicates an alkali metal ion or an ammonium cation of formula NR4? where each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic radical selected from aliphatic radicals having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and arylic or alicyclic radicals having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; (ii) a non-functional fluorinated monomer [monomer (B)] having at least one ethylene unsaturation; and (iii) a fluorinated polyfunctional compound having the general formula: (CR1R2?CFCF2—O)a—Rf—((O)c—CF?CR3R4)b (II) wherein: a is an integer equal to or larger than 1, preferably a is 1, 2, or 3; b is 0 or 1 and the

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: 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: 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: The present invention pertains a fluoropolymer [polymer (F)] comprising: —recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer [monomer (FM)]; —from 5% to 60% by moles [with respect to the total moles of recurring units of polymer (F)] of recurring units derived at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer containing at least one —SO2F functional group [monomer (IO)]; and —from 0.01% to 10% by moles [with respect to the total moles of recurring units of polymer (F)] of recurring units derived from at least one monomer comprising an azide group [monomer (Az)], to a process for its manufacture, to a cross-linkable composition comprising the same, to a process for cross-linking the same and to articles comprising the cross-linked polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorinated ionomer [polymer (I)] comprising recurring units derived from at least the following monomers: (i) 5 to 50% by weight of a fluorinated monomer [monomer (A)] containing at least one —SO2X functionality, preferably having the formula of CF2?CF—O—(CF2CF(CF3)O)m—(CF2)mSO2X (I) wherein m is 0 or 1, n is an integer between 0-10, and X is selected from F, OH, and O?Me+, wherein Me+ indicates an alkali metal ion or an ammonium cation of formula NR4? where each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic radical selected from aliphatic radicals having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and arylic or alicyclic radicals having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; (ii) a non-functional fluorinated monomer [monomer (B)] having at least one ethylene unsaturation; and (iii) a fluorinated polyfunctional compound having the general formula: (CR1R2?CFCF2—O)a—Rf—((O)c—CF?CR3R4)b (II) wherein: a is an integer equal to or larger than 1, preferably a is 1, 2, or 3; b is 0 or 1 and the

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of soluble polymeric fractions in a sulfonyl fluoride polymer. The process comprises contacting the sulfonyl fluoride polymer with a fluorinated fluid followed by separation of the polymer from the fluid. The fluorinated fluid is selected from hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoropolyethers. The invention further relates to sulfonyl fluoride polymers obtainable by the process and having a heat of fusion not exceeding 4 J/g and containing less than 15% by weight of polymeric fractions having an average content of monomeric units comprising a sulfonyl functional group exceeding 24 mole %. The sulfonyl fluoride polymers so obtained are particularly suitable for the preparation of ionomeric membranes for use in electrochemical devices.

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.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of soluble polymeric fractions in a sulfonyl fluoride polymer. The process comprises contacting the sulfonyl fluoride polymer with a fluorinated fluid followed by separation of the polymer from the fluid. The fluorinated fluid is selected from hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoropolyethers. The invention further relates to sulfonyl fluoride polymers obtainable by the process and having a heat of fusion not exceeding 4 J/g and containing less than 15% by weight of polymeric fractions having an average content of monomeric units comprising a sulfonyl functional group exceeding 24 mole %. The sulfonyl fluoride polymers so obtained are particularly suitable for the preparation of ionomeric membranes for use in electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one fluorinated polymer comprising —SO2X functional groups, wherein X is selected from X? or from OM and wherein X? is selected from the group consisting of F, CI, Br, I and M is selected from the group consisting of H, alkaline metals, NH4, and at least one fluorinated aromatic compound. Ion conducting membranes comprising the composition have improved resistance towards radical degradation in fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cross-linked fluorinated polymers comprising sulfonic acid functional groups comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one fluorinated polymer (P) comprising at least one —SO3M functional group and less than 2% of —SO2F functional groups with respect to the total amount of —SO3M and —SO2F functional groups, wherein each M is selected from H and alkaline metals; and b) reacting said fluorinated polymer with at least one cross-linking agent of formula R(X)n under conditions that promote the formation of covalent bonds between the at least one functional group —SO3M of fluorinated polymer (P) and at least one functional group X of the cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A liquid composition comprising: a liquid medium comprising at least one aprotic polar organic solvent and less than 25 wt % based on the total weight of the composition of an alcohol; and at least 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition of at least one fluorinated anion exchange polymer comprising a fluorocarbon backbone and side-chains covalently attached to the backbone having terminal groups of formula (I): —SO2NR1Q+X?, wherein Q+ is a group comprising at least one quaternary nitrogen atom, and R1 is H or a C1-C20 alkyl group, or forms a ring together with a group in Q+, wherein the ring contains 2 to 10 carbon atoms and, optionally, up to 4 heteroatoms; and X? is an anion selected among the group consisting of organic anions and lipophilic inorganic anions is disclosed. The liquid composition is suitable for the preparation of ion exchange membranes and as binders for electrocatalytic layers for use in electrochemical applications.

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: A process for reducing the amount of soluble polymeric fractions in a sulfonyl fluoride polymer. The process comprises contacting the sulfonyl fluoride polymer with a fluorinated fluid followed by separation of the polymer from the fluid. The fluorinated fluid is selected from hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoropolyethers. The invention further relates to sulfonyl fluoride polymers obtainable by the process and having a heat of fusion not exceeding 4 J/g and containing less than 15% by weight of polymeric fractions having an average content of monomeric units comprising a sulfonyl functional group exceeding 24 mole %. The sulfonyl fluoride polymers so obtained are particularly suitable for the preparation of ionomeric membranes for use in electrochemical devices.

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%.