Abstract: A composition including at least one first divalent unit represented by formula: Each Rf is independently selected from the group consisting of Rfa—(O)t—CHF—(CF2)n—; [Rfa—(O)t—C(L)H—CF2—O]m—W—; Rfb-O—(CF2)p-; F(CkF2k)—(O—CkF2k)P—O—CF2—; and CF3—O—(CF2)3—(OCF(CF3)—CF2)Z—O-L1-. Each Q is independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, —C(O)—N(R1)—, and —C(O)—O—. Each X is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene and arylalkylene, wherein alkylene and arylalkylene are each optionally interrupted by at least one ether linkage and optionally terminated by —N(R1)—C(O)— or —O—C(O)—. R and R1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Rfa represents a partially or fully fluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted with at least one oxygen atom. Rfb is selected from the group consisting of CF3CFH— and F(CjF2j)-.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a fluoropolymer comprising polymerizing one or more fluorinated monomers in an aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of a fluorinated surfactant selected from fluorinated surfactants of formula (I): [RfO-L-CO2?]iXi+ ??(I) wherein Rf is selected from a partially fluorinated alkyl group, a fully fluorinated alkyl group, a partially fluorinated alkyl group that is interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms, and a fully fluorinated alkyl group that is interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms; L is selected from a partially fluorinated alkylene group, a fully fluorinated alkylene group, a partially fluorinated alkylene group that is interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms, and a fully fluorinated alkylene group that is interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms; Xi+ represents a cation having the valence i; and i is 1, 2, or 3; further wherein at least part of the fluorinated surfactant is added to the aqueous phase as an aqueous mixture with at least

Abstract: Anionic species are removed from aqueous dispersions of ionic fluoropolymers using anion exchange resins. In some embodiments, cationic species are also removed using cation exchange resins.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluoropolymer comprising a plurality of pendent groups terminating in —CF2SO3X, —CF2SO2F, or combinations thereof, where X is selected from a group consisting of H+ and a monovalent cation, and at least one —CF2Y end group, where Y is selected from a group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a nitrile group, and an —SO3X group.

Abstract: A method is provided for aqueous emulsion co-polymerization of two or more fluoromonomers comprising the steps of: 1) forming an aqueous pre-emulsion by mixing a fluoromonomer according to formula I: F2C?CF—R1—SO2X??(I) wherein R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy or perfluoroether group comprising 1–15 carbon atoms and 0–4 oxygen atoms and wherein X is F, Cl or Br, together with 0.001–0.9 molar equivalents of a base, in the absence of added emulsifier; and 2) reacting the pre-emulsion with one or more perfluorinated comonomers in the absence of added emulsifier so as to form a fluoropolymer latex comprising a fluoropolymer wherein more than 1 mol % of monomer units are derived from the fluoromonomer according to formula I. In another aspect, the present invention provides a fluoropolymer derived from the fluoropolymer latex made according to the method of the present invention which is free of added emulsifier.