Abstract: A method of making a crosslinked polymer is provided as well as the polymer so made, the method comprising the steps of: providing a highly fluorinated fluoropolymer, typically a perfluorinated fluoropolymer, comprising pendent groups which include a group according to the formula —SO2X, where X is F, Cl, Br, OH, or —O?M+, where M+ is a monovalent cation, and exposing said fluoropolymer to electron beam radiation so as to result in the formation of crosslinks. Typically, the method according to the present invention additionally comprises the step of: forming said fluoropolymer into a membrane, typically having a thickness of 90 microns or less, more typically 60 microns or less, and most typically 30 microns or less.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure includes a fluoropolymer bonded to a substrate. The structure is prepared by exposing a bonding composition to actinic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, to form the bond. The bonding composition includes a light-absorbing compound and an electron donor. The bonding composition includes non-adhesive materials.

Abstract: A hard coating composition for use as a stain repellent single layer on an optical display. The coating composition adds a monomer of a mono or multi(methyl)acrylate bearing at least one monovalent hexafluoropolypropylene oxide derivative and a free radically reactive compatibilizer consisting of either a fluoroalkyl-group containing acrylate compatibilizer or a fluoroalkylene-group containing acrylate compatibilizer to a conventional hydrocarbon-based hard coat formulation. The resultant coating is substantially smooth and forms a durable surface layer that has low surface energy that is stain and ink repellent.

Abstract: Methods of protecting internal components of an optical device are described by providing a hardcoat surface layer on an internal component of an optical device. Also described are certain internal components having hardcoat surface layers, as well as methods of assembling internal components of an optical device.

Abstract: Methods are provided to make acid functional fluoropolymers by: a) dehydrofluorinating a starting fluoropolymer with a dehydrofluorinating agent to form an unsaturated fluoropolymer; b) adding an acidifiable nucleophilic functionalizing agent to a double bond of the unsaturated fluoropolymer; and c) acidifying the added acidifiable function. Acid functional fluoropolymers and ion conducting membranes thereof are also provided, including acid functional fluoropolymer having pendent groups according to the formula: —X—Ar—An, wherein X is selected from O, S or NR, where R is selected from H and C1–C30 alkyl or aryl, which are optionally substituted, wherein Ar is a C6–C30 aromatic group, which is optionally substituted, wherein A is an acidic function or salt thereof, wherein a can be independently chosen to be 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: Perfluoropolyether benzotriazole compounds and compositions containing perfluoropolyether benzotriazole compounds are provided. The perfluoropolyether benzotriazole compounds can be attached to a substrate having a metal or metal oxide-containing surface to provide at least one of the following characteristics: anti-soiling, anti-staining, ease of cleaning, repellency, hydrophobicity, or oleophobicity.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer is modified by contacting it with a modifying composition preparable from components comprising a phase transfer catalyst and at least one of a sulfide or disulfide salt, and heating the modifying composition. The modified fluoropolymer is useful in the preparation of composite articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to display and protective articles having a fluorochemical surface layer, and methods of making such articles. The invention also relates to fluoropolyether acrylate compositions.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers, particularly fluorinated polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups, by crosslinking through pendent groups which include a sulfonyl chloride group (—SO2Cl). The sulfonyl chloride group may be removed by application of electromagnetic radiation, typically in the ultraviolet band, or a radical initiator, leaving behind a radical which readily binds covalently to other polymer strands or to crosslinking agents to form crosslinks. Typically, the polymer is made by providing a polymer comprising pendent groups which include a group according to the formula —SO2F and converting at least a portion of the —SO2F groups to —SO2Cl. After crosslinking, the remaining —SO2F groups may be converted to sulfonic acid groups, yielding a crosslinked polymer electrolyte. Such crosslinked polymer electrolytes may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.

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: The invention relates to display and protective articles having a fluorochemical surface layer, and methods of making such articles. The invention also relates to fluoropolyether acrylate compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups by crosslinking through the sulfonic acid groups or their precursors with aromatic crosslinkers or aromatic pendent crosslinking groups to form aromatic sulfones. Such crosslinked polymers may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.

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: The invention features an article comprising a reactive substrate that forms a covalent or hydrogen bond with a surface layer. The surface layer of the article comprises the reaction product of at least one monoterminated (per)fluoropolyether (meth)acryl compound and at least one monomer or oligomer having at least two (meth)acryl groups.

Abstract: A low refractive index composition that forms a low refractive index layer on an optical display is formed having a co-crosslinked interpenetrating polymer network of a fluoropolymer phase and an acrylate phase. The fluoropolymer phase is preferably formed from fluoropolymers based on THV or FKM and having either a degree of unsaturation and/or containing a reactive cure site monomer in its polymer backbone. The acrylate phase includes a multifunctional acrylate crosslinker, and more preferably includes a perfluoropolyether acrylate crosslinker. The formed low refractive index layer has improved interfacial adhesion to other layers or substrates contained in the optical display. Further, the mechanical strength and scratch resistance of the either of above low refractive index compositions can be further enhanced through the incorporation of surface functionalized inorganic particle into the formed layer.

Abstract: An economic, optically transmissive, stain and ink repellent, durable low refractive index fluoropolymer composition for use in an antireflection film or coupled to an optical display. In one aspect of the invention, the composition is formed from the reaction product of a fluoropolymer or reactive fluoropolymer, an amino silane ester coupling agent or ester equivalent, a multi-olefinic crosslinker, and optional surface modified inorganic particles or sol gel precursors.

Abstract: An economic, optically transmissive, stain and ink repellent, durable low refractive index fluoropolymer composition for use in an antireflection film or coupled to an optical display. In one aspect of the invention, the composition is formed from the reaction product of a fluoropolymer, a C?C double bond group containing silane ester agent, and an optional multi-olefinic crosslinker. In another aspect of the invention, the composition further includes surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. In another aspect, the multi-olefinic crosslinker is an alkoxysilyl-containing multi-olefinic crosslinker.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition contains a homogeneous mixture of crystalline submicron fluoropolymer particles dispersed in a solvent-borne solution of less crystalline or amorphous fluororesin. The composition may be prepared by blending a latex containing crystalline submicron fluoropolymer particles with a latex containing less crystalline or amorphous fluororesin particles, coagulating and drying the blended latices, and dissolving the dried blend in a solvent for the fluororesin particles. Quasi-homogenous compositions may be prepared by blending dry crystalline submicron fluoropolymer particles with a) dry less crystalline or amorphous fluororesin particles and a solvent for the fluororesin particles, or b) a solvent-borne solution of less crystalline or amorphous fluororesin. Rubbing the disclosed coatings can provide a thin, continuous or nearly continuous fluoropolymer surface layer atop a less crystalline or amorphous fluororesin binder containing crystalline submicron fluoropolymer particles.