Abstract: The present invention pertains to a multilayer tubular article, to processes for the manufacture of said multilayer tubular article and to uses of said multilayer tubular article in upstream applications for conveying hydrocarbons from a well to a floating off-shore unit via a bottom platform.

Abstract: The invention mainly pertains to a method for heat treating a composition [composition (C)] which contains at least one melt-processible perfluoropolymer [polymer (F)] formed of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer with one or more perfluorinated comonomers [comonomer (F)] containing at least one unsaturation of ethylene type in amounts from 0.5% to 13% by weight, preferably from 0.6% to 11% by weight, and more preferably from 0.8% to 9% by weight; said polymer (F) possessing reactive end groups comprising at least one of the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in an amount of at least 4.5 mmol/kg, the process comprising at least the step of heat-treating the composition (C) at a temperature of at least 260° C.

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: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a multilayer tubular article, to processes for the manufacture of said multilayer tubular article and to uses of said multilayer tubular article in upstream applications for conveying hydrocarbons from a well to a floating off-shore unit via a bottom platform.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.

Abstract: The invention mainly pertains to a method for heat treating a composition [composition (C)] which contains at least one melt-processible perfluoropolymer [polymer (F)] formed of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer with one or more perfluorinated comonomers [comonomer (F)] containing at least one unsaturation of ethylene type in amounts from 0.5% to 13% by weight, preferably from 0.6% to 11% by weight, and more preferably from 0.8% to 9% by weight; said polymer (F) possessing reactive end groups comprising at least one of the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in an amount of at least 4.5 mmol/kg, the process comprising at least the step of heat-treating the composition (C) at a temperature of at least 260° C.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (per)fluoropolymer compositions, in particular to (per)fluoropolyether compositions comprising:—a (per)fluoropolymer having more than two carboxy groups and—a polyamine. The invention further relates to processes for preparing said compositions and to molded articles obtained from said compositions.

Abstract: MEA 7-layer assemblies with gasket, comprising: a film of ionomeric membrane (3), containing functional acid groups —SO3H and/or —COOH, having in at least one direction, called direction x, a size variation lower than 0.08%; two GDL sheets (1) and (2) in porous material having on one surface an electrocatalytic layer, not shown in the Figures, of which: the first sheet DGL (1) is coextensive with the membrane (3) surface, positioned so as to overlap thereto; the second sheet GDL (2), having a lower width but the same length of the film of membrane (3), measured in the x direction; the two sheets (1) and (2) placed so that the electrocatalytic layer comes into contact, respectively, with each of the two membrane faces; a gasket positioned according to a frame shape along the assembly perimeter.

Abstract: A composite ionomeric membrane comprising a layer or film of a porous inert material on which a (per) fluorinated sulphonic ionomer is deposited wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having: equivalent weight comprised between 280 and 1,700 g/eq; side chains of formula: —O—CF2—CF2—S03?M+, wherein M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal; said membrane having in each of the two orthogonal directions xy of the plane, after dipping in demineralized water at 100° C. for 30 minutes and preliminary drying at 105° C. under vacuum for one hour, the following size variations: in one direction, size variation lower than 25%; in the other direction, size variation lower than 20%.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer [polymer (F)]; and inorganic particles at least partially coated with at least one perfluoropolyether block copolymer [polymer (E)] comprising: A) one or more (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Rf), comprising recurring units having at least one catenary ether bond and at least one fluorocarbon moiety, and B) one or more polyalkylene segment (chain Ra) comprising recurring units of formula: —(CR1R2—CR3R4)—, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, equal to or different from each other, are selected from the group consisting of H, halogens (preferably F, Cl); C1-C6 (hydro)carbon groups, optionally containing fluorine or other heteroatoms, referably perfluoroalkyl or (per)fluorooxyalkyl. The invention also discloses a method of coating various substrates using said composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing an integral 3-layer catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for use in electrochemical cells, e.g. PEM (polymer-electrolyte membrane) fuel cells. The process comprising the steps of preparing a first catalyst layer on a supporting substrate, subsequently coating the first catalyst layer with an ionomer dispersion to form an ionomer layer (membrane), and applying a second catalyst layer on top of the ionomer layer. The ionomer dispersion applied in the membrane coating step has low viscosity in the range of 10 to 400 centipoises (cP) and an ionomer concentration in the range of 15 to 35 weight-%. With this method, CCMs with improved electrochemical performance and reduced cathode resistance are manufactured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (per)fluoropolymer compositions, in particular to (per)fluoropolyether compositions comprising: —a (per)fluoropolymer having more than two carboxy groups and —a polyamine. The invention further relates to processes for preparing said compositions and to moulded articles obtained from said compositions.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of corrugated fuel cell units from a composite laminate comprising an ion conductive membrane having first and second surface; a first electrocatalyst layer in contact with the first surface of the membrane; a second electrocatalyst layer in contact with the second surface of the membrane; a first metallic mesh in contact with said first electrocatalyst layer and a second metallic mesh in contact with said second electrocatalyst layer.

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: An ionomeric membrane formed of a sulphonic (per)fluorinated ionomer wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having: equivalent weight between 700 and 1600 g/eq; side chains of formula: —O—CF2—CF2—SO3?M+, wherein M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal; said membrane having the following combination of properties: size variations, for both the orthogonal directions xy of the plane, lower than 15%, measured after dipping of the ionomeric membrane, dried at 105° C. under vacuum for one hour, in demineralized water at 100° C. for 30 minutes; the membrane, dipped at the temperature of 50° C. for 22 hours in a water/ethanol mixture containing 40% by weight of alcohol, remains integral.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a solar cell module comprising at least one photovoltaic element encapsulated between a front layer on its light receiving surface side and a back layer, said front layer comprising at least one layer comprising a tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymer [polymer (F)], said polymer (F) comprising: recurring units derived from TFE; and from 15 to 25% wt of recurring units derived from at least one perfluoromonomer [monomer (CM)] chosen among: (i) perfluoroalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2?CFORf1, in which Rf1 is a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl, e.g. —CF3, —C2F5, —C3F7; and/or (ii) perfluoro-oxyalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2?CFOX0, in which X0 is a C1-C12 perfluorooxyalkyl having one or more ether groups, like perfluoro-2-propoxy-propyl; and (iii) mixtures thereof. Still objects of the invention are a process for the manufacture of the solar cell module as above defined and its use for producing current to external sources, e.g. for powering a fixed-wing aircraft.

Abstract: Catalyst-polymer liquid dispersion (LD) comprising (i) catalyst particles, (ii) polymer particles consisting of at least one (per)fluoro sulfonyl fluoride polymer in the —SO2F form, and (iii) an aqueous suspending medium. Catalyst coated membrane precursor (CCMP), catalyst coated membrane (CCM) and catalytic ionomeric ink (CII) derived therefrom and methods for their manufacture. Catalyst coated membrane (CCM-CII) derived from said (CII).

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer [polymer (F)]; and inorganic particles at least partially coated with at least one perfluoropolyether block copolymer [polymer (E)] comprising: A) one or more (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Rf), comprising recurring units having at least one catenary ether bond and at least one fluorocarbon moiety, and B) one or more polyalkylene segment (chain Ra) comprising recurring units of formula: —(CR1R2—CR3R4)—, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, equal to or different from each other, are selected from the group consisting of H, halogens (preferably F, Cl); C1-C6 (hydro)carbon groups, optionally containing fluorine or other heteroatoms, preferably perfluoroalkyl or (per)fluorooxyalkyl. The invention also discloses a method of coating various substrates using said composition.