Abstract: Fluorinated ether carboxylic acid or acid derivatives, aqueous compositions comprising fluorinated surfactants, processes for preparing fluoropolymer dispersions, and methods for preparing layered articles.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane, such as may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells, by mixing a sulfonate- or sulfonyl halide-functional polymer with a bisamidine compound and subsequently trimerizing the amidine groups of the bisamidine compound to form triazine linkages. The sulfonyl halide or sulfonate groups may then be converted to sulfonic acid groups, yielding a polymer electrolyte reinforced with a polytriazine.

Abstract: A catalyst is preparable from a first component represented by R?C(CF2R)O?Q+ and a second component (NCCFR?)bZ. The catalyst may be combined with a fluoropolymer having nitrogen-containing cure-sites to form a curable composition that is useful for preparing fluoroelastomer compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane, such as may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells, by mixing a sulfonate- or sulfonyl halide-functional polymer with a bisamidine compound and subsequently trimerizing the amidine groups of the bisamidine compound to form triazine linkages. The sulfonyl halide or sulfonate groups may then be converted to sulfonic acid groups, yielding a polymer electrolyte reinforced with a polytriazine.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer by direct fluorination of a non-perfluorinated polymer comprising first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups or by direct fluorination of a polymer mixture of a first polymer which is a non-perfluorinated polymer and a second polymer which comprises first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups. Such crosslinked polymers or polymer mixtures may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells and which should demonstrate increased durability in fuel cell use.

Abstract: A catalyst is preparable from a first component represented by R?C(CF2R)O?Q+ and a second component (NCCFR?)bZ. The catalyst may be combined with a fluoropolymer having nitrogen-containing cure-sites to form a curable composition that is useful for preparing fluoroelastomer compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer by direct fluorination of a non-perfluorinated polymer comprising first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups or by direct fluorination of a polymer mixture of a first polymer which is a non-perfluorinated polymer and a second polymer which comprises first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups. Such crosslinked polymers or polymer mixtures may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells and which should demonstrate increased durability in fuel cell use.

Abstract: The present application provides a process to produce fluorinated vinyl ether by reacting a 2-alkoxypropionyl fluoride with a metal carbonate under anhydrous conditions in a stirred bed reactor at a temperature above the decarboxylation temperature of an intermediate carboxylate to produce a fluorinated vinyl ether. The process is carried out in the absence of solvent. With the process described, fluorinated vinyl ether of a high purity can be obtained in a high throughput manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer electrolyte, typically in the form of a membrane for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in an electrolytic cell such as a fuel cell, by trimerization of nitrile groups contained on groups pendant from the polymer. The resulting polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a highly fluorinated polymer comprising: a perfluorinated backbone, first pendent groups which comprise sulfonic acid groups, and crosslinks comprising trivalent groups according to the formula: The first pendent groups are typically according to the formula: —R1—SO3H, where R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroether group comprising 1-15 carbon atoms and 0-4 oxygen atoms, most typically —O—CF2—CF2—CF2—CF2—SO3H or —O—CF2—CF(CF3)—O—CF2—CF2—SO3H.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer electrolyte, typically in the form of a membrane for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in an electrolytic cell such as a fuel cell, by trimerization of nitrile groups contained on groups pendant from the polymer. The resulting polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a highly fluorinated polymer comprising: a perfluorinated backbone, first pendent groups which comprise sulfonic acid groups, and crosslinks comprising trivalent groups according to the formula: The first pendent groups are typically according to the formula: —R1—SO3H, where R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroether group comprising 1–15 carbon atoms and 0–4 oxygen atoms, most typically —O—CF2—CF2—CF2—CF2—SO3H or —O—CF2—CF(CF3)—O—CF2—CF2—SO3H.

Abstract: A curative composition comprising a cation and an anion of the formula Anq?Qpm+, wherein m, n, p, and q are positive integers, wherein m*p=n*q, wherein Qm+ is an organo onium, and Aq? is an anion, provided that at least one Aq? is selected from the formula: wherein each R independently is H, halo, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl, and which also may be halogenated, fluorinated, or perfluorinated, wherein two or more of R and R? groups may together form a ring, wherein each R group independently may contain one or more heteroatom(s), wherein R? can be the same as R, with the proviso that R? cannot be halo. Also provided are a fluoropolymer composition including this curative, a method of making a fluoropolymer, and fluoropolymer articles containing curable or cured fluoropolymer compositions.

Abstract: Fluoropolyether poly(meth)acryl compounds comprising at least one terminal perfluoropolyether group and at least two groups (meth)acryl groups. A preferred perfluoropolyether group includes F(CF(CF3)CF2O)aCF(CF3)— group wherein a averages 1 to 15 and at least two groups (meth)acryl groups.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer by direct fluorination of a non-perfluorinated polymer comprising first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups or by direct fluorination of a polymer mixture of a first polymer which is a non-perfluorinated polymer and a second polymer which comprises first pendent groups which comprise sulfonyl halide groups. Such crosslinked polymers or polymer mixtures may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells and which should demonstrate increased durability in fuel cell use.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer electrolyte, typically in the form of a membrane for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in an electrolytic cell such as a fuel cell, by trimerization of nitrile groups contained on groups pendant from the polymer. The resulting polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a highly fluorinated polymer comprising: a perfluorinated backbone, first pendent groups which comprise sulfonic acid groups, and crosslinks comprising trivalent groups according to the formula: The first pendent groups are typically according to the formula: —R1—SO3H, where R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroether group comprising 1-15 carbon atoms and 0-4 oxygen atoms, most typically —O—CF2—CF2—CF2—CF2—SO3H or —O—CF2—CF(CF3)—O—CF2—CF2—SO3H.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane, such as may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells, by mixing a sulfonate- or sulfonyl halide-functional polymer with a bisamidine compound and subsequently trimerizing the amidine groups of the bisamidine compound to form triazine linkages. The sulfonyl halide or sulfonate groups may then be converted to sulfonic acid groups, yielding a polymer electrolyte reinforced with a polytriazine.

Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications.

Abstract: Silicon substrates having Si—H bonds are chemically modified using a fluorinated olefin having the formula: wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 1; n is an integer greater than or equal to 0; Z is a divalent linking group; and Rf is a highly fluorinated organic group.

Abstract: Silicon substrates having Si—H bonds are chemically modified using a fluorinated olefin having the formula: 1

Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications.

Abstract: A method of making an electret that includes contacting a porous substrate that includes polymer with a composition that includes solvent capable of swelling the polymer, removing the solvent from the substrate, and contacting the substrate with water in a manner sufficient to impart an electret charge to the substrate.