Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous composition comprising an oligomeric fluorosilane and a surfactant. The invention further relates to a method of treatment of optical elements with the aqueous composition and to optical elements so treated. The invention further relates to articles including the treated optical elements.

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, as well as the polymer so made, the method comprising application of ultraviolet radiation to a highly fluorinated fluoropolymer comprising: a backbone derived in part from tetrafluoro-ethylene monomer, first 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 second pendent groups which include Br, Cl or I. Typically, the membrane has a thickness of 90 microns or less, more typically 60 or less, and most typically 30 microns or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments having the general structure Rf-[G]m(CH2)n—X wherein Rf is a fluorinated alkyl group, G is a divalent linking group selected from oxygen (—O—) and sulfonamido (—SO2R—), m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1, n is an integer ranging from 1 to 24, and X is polar group or polar group containing radical. The invention further relates to materials such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are various fluoropolymer blend combinations and multilayer articles comprising a blend in a first layer and a second layer comprising a polymer bonded to the first layer. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, a perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer, or a combination thereof. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, at least one of which comprises a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, and optionally at least one perhalogenated polymer, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising an at least partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer. The invention also provides processes for preparing blended fluoropolymers and multilayer articles comprising a fluoropolymer layer.

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: 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: 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, as well as the polymer so made, the method comprising application of electron beam radiation to a highly fluorinated fluoropolymer comprising: a backbone derived in part from tetrafluoro-ethylene monomer, first 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 second pendent groups which include Br, Cl or I. Typically, the membrane has a thickness of 90 microns or less, more typically 60 or less, and most typically 30 microns or less.

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: Fluoropolymeric substrates are modified by a photochemical process that includes at least one species having the formula wherein: R represents hydrogen or an alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents O or NH; and each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently represents H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or any two of R, R1, R2, R3, and R4 taken together represent an alkylene group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R1 and R2 or at least one of R3 and R4 is not H.

Abstract: The present-invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments. The invention further relates to materials such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising an aromatic material selected from a polythiol aromatic compound or resin, a hydroxythiophenol compound or resin, a catechol novolak resin, a catechol cresol novolak resin, a polyhydroxy aromatic resin or compound comprising at least one aromatic ring having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the aromatic ring wherein at least one hydroxyl group is a phenolate salt, or a combination thereof, and a salt former compound capable of forming a salt with the aromatic material, a fluoropolymer, and optionally a phase transfer catalyst. Also provided are articles comprising powder-coated fluoropolymers with aromatic compounds, and methods for making the compositions and articles.

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 compositions useful for bonding fluoropolymer to substantially non-fluorinated polymer. The compositions of the invention comprise a substantially non-fluorinated polymer or a mixture of said polymers, a base, and a crown ether catalyst. Another aspect of the invention is an article comprising the above composition adhered to a fluoropolymer and methods of making said article.

Abstract: Disclosed are various fluoropolymer blend combinations and multilayer articles comprising a blend in a first layer and a second layer comprising a polymer bonded to the first layer. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, a perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer, or a combination thereof. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, at least one of which comprises a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, and optionally at least one perhalogenated polymer, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising an at least partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer. The invention also provides processes for preparing blended fluoropolymers and multilayer articles comprising a fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for modifying a polymeric substrate by contacting the surface with a photoreactive solution of an inorganic photochemical electron donor while irradiating the surface with actinic radiation. Patterns of modified and unmodified surfaces can be produced. Polymeric substrates with modified surfaces may be effectively bonded to polymer films to form composite articles. The process has particular applicability to the surface modification of fluorinated polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides immune response modifiers (IRMs) associated with (typically, attached to, and preferably, covalently attached to) macromolecular support materials. The IRM compounds in such IRM-support complexes retain biological activity. Such attachment of an IRM to a macromolecular support material provides for the localized biological activity of the IRM.

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: At least two fixable fluid materials are digitally applied adjacent to each other on a surface of a substrate and fixed to provide fixed coatings having different surface energies. The coated substrates are useful for controlling the flow of fluids.