Abstract: The invention pertains to novel fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers, including PCTFE-like plastomeric blocks, contributing substantially to the improvement of sealing performances upon increasing temperature of the fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers comprising the same.

Abstract: To provide a fluorinated elastic copolymer and a fluorinated elastic copolymer composition, whereby it is possible to obtain a crosslinked rubber article which has practically sufficient rubber physical properties and which is, at the same time, excellent in low-temperature characteristics; a crosslinked rubber article; and a method for producing a fluorinated elastic copolymer. The fluorinated elastic copolymer comprises units based on tetrafluoroethylene, units based on CF2?CFORf1 (Rf1 is a C1-10 perfluoroalkyl group), units based on CF2?CF(OCF2CF2)n—(OCF2)m—ORf2 (Rf2 is a C1-4 perfluoroalkyl group, n is an integer of from 0 to 3, m is an integer of from 0 to 4, and n+m is an integer of from 1 to 7), and units based on a fluorinated monomer having at least two polymerizable unsaturated bonds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber for manufacturing a stretchable hydrophobic fiber article, the fiber including silica nanoparticles which are surface-modified such that the silica nanoparticles include a hydrocarbon chain, and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, a stretchable hydrophobic fiber article manufactured therefrom, and a manufacturing method thereof. A fiber and a fiber article according to the present disclosure may have high hydrophobicity, preferably both superhydrophobicity and elasticity. Further, as the fiber and fiber article have excellent mechanical stability and chemical durability, the fiber and fiber article may stably exhibit the aforementioned high hydrophobicity and elasticity even under the harsh conditions.

Abstract: An electrophotographic member comprising a base body and an elastic layer on the base body, the elastic layer including silicone rubber and metallic silicon particles in the silicone rubber; wherein the metallic silicon particles have a mass reduction rate of 0.05% or more.

Abstract: A polymer for an electrode protective layer including a polymer (A) including a fluorine-based polymer in which a monomer unit including poly(alkylene oxide) and a monomer unit including a curable functional group (e.g., a thermocurable functional group or a photocurable functional group) are grafted on the fluorine-based polymer, and when preparing an electrode by coating an electrode active material layer using the polymer and curing (e.g., thermally curing or photocuring) the result, excellent lithium ion conductivity is obtained since lithium ion flow is not inhibited, chemical resistance for an electrolyte liquid is high, and voltage stability of a secondary battery may be enhanced by suppressing side reactions with the electrolyte liquid occurring on an electrode active material surface due to properties of a uniform and flexible protective layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a modified polytetrafluoroethylene, the method including: polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium in which a polymer having units based on a fluorine-free monomer is present. The fluorine-free monomer is a monomer represented by formula (1): CH2?CR1-L-R2, where R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, L is a single bond, —CO—O—*, —O—CO—* or —O—, * is a bonding position to R2, and R2 is an alkyl group. To the total amount of tetrafluoroethylene supplied to the polymerization, a proportion of the polymer is from 0.001 to 0.050 mass %.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an electrode which includes an active material layer, and an insulating layer layered on a surface of the active material layer, in which the insulating layer contains a filler and a first binder, and a content of the first binder in the insulating layer is 8% by mass or more. Another aspect of the present invention is an electrode which includes an active material layer, and an insulating layer layered on a surface of the active material layer, in which the insulating layer is a dry coating product containing a filler and a binder. Still another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode, which includes the steps of forming an active material layer, and laminating an insulator containing a filler and a binder on a surface of the active material layer to form an insulating layer, in which the insulator does not contain a solvent.

Abstract: Filter media, filter elements, and methods for filtering an gas stream are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may comprise a fiber web comprising a plurality of fibers and having a particular oil repellency level. For instance, in certain embodiments, the surface chemistry of the fiber web may be tailored to impart a particular surface energy density that matches the surface energy density of the fluid (e.g., an oil, a lubricant, and/or a cooling agent) being removed from the gas stream. In some embodiments, the fiber web may be wrapped around a core. For example, the fiber web may be wrapped around the core such that it forms two or more layers around the core. In some cases, the fiber web may be perforated. In certain embodiments, an gas stream comprising a fluid (e.g., an oil, a lubricant, and/or a cooling agent) may be passed through the fiber web, filter media, and/or filter element such that at least a portion of the fluid coalesces on the fiber web.

Abstract: A two-layer membrane including a polymer layer and a support layer, the polymer layer being disposed on a surface of the support layer. The polymer layer, having a pore size of at most 50 nm and a thickness of 5 nm to 10 ?m, is formed of an amphiphilic copolymer that contains both charged groups and hydrophobic groups. The support layer has a pore size of 3 nm to 10 ?m, which is larger than the pore size of the polymer layer. Also disclosed is a process of filtering a liquid using the two-layer membrane described above.

Abstract: Described herein is a peroxide curable, highly fluorinated elastomer derived from tetrafluoroethylene, a perfluoro ether monomer, and a compound selected from at least one of a highly fluorinated bisolefin ether and an iodine-containing perfluorinated ether.

Abstract: A polyamide resin molded body is formed by a resin composition having a (B) fluorine series resin within a range from 1 to 15 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a (A) polyamide resin. In the resin composition, the number average particle diameter of the fluorine series resin dispersed in the polyamide resin is 0.8 ?m or less. The resin composition includes particles of the (B) fluorine series resin having particle diameters of 0.8 ?m or greater. The percentage of particles having particle diameters of 0.8 ?m or greater which are secondary particles while maintaining the form of primary particles is 60% or greater, and/or the degree of crystallinity of the dispersed (B) fluorine series resin is 42 J/g or greater.

Abstract: A process is provided for the polymerization of fluoromonomer to an dispersion of fluoropolymer particles in an aqueous medium in a polymerization reactor, by (a) providing the aqueous medium in the reactor, (b) adding the fluoromonomer to the reactor, (c) adding initiator to the aqueous medium, the combination of steps (b) and (c) being carried out essentially free of hydrocarbon-containing surfactant and resulting in the kickoff of the polymerization of the fluoromonomer, and (d) metering hydrocarbon-containing surfactant into the aqueous medium after the kickoff of polymerization, e.g. after the concentration of the fluoropolymer in the aqueous medium is at least 0.6 wt %, the metering being at a rate reducing the telogenic activity of said surfactant while maintaining surface activity.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a low permeation curb pump hose comprising: (a) a tube layer, wherein the tube layer is comprised of a first nitrile rubber; (b) a barrier layer which is situated over the tube layer, wherein the barrier layer is comprised of a fluorothermoplastic; (c) a friction layer which is situated over the barrier layer, wherein the friction layer is comprised of a second nitrile rubber; (d) a reinforcement layer which is situated over the friction layer, wherein the reinforcement layer is comprised of braided steel wire, wherein the braided steel wire has a wire pack coverage of about 30 percent to about 60 percent; and (e) a cover layer which is situated over the reinforcing layer, wherein the cover layer is comprised of a chlorinated polyethylene.

Abstract: Filter media, filter elements, and methods for filtering an gas stream are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may comprise a fiber web comprising a plurality of fibers and having a particular oil repellency level. For instance, in certain embodiments, the surface chemistry of the fiber web may be tailored to impart a particular surface energy density that matches the surface energy density of the fluid (e.g., an oil, a lubricant, and/or a cooling agent) being removed from the gas stream. In some embodiments, the fiber web may be wrapped around a core. For example, the fiber web may be wrapped around the core such that it forms two or more layers around the core. In some cases, the fiber web may be perforated. In certain embodiments, an gas stream comprising a fluid (e.g., an oil, a lubricant, and/or a cooling agent) may be passed through the fiber web, filter media, and/or filter element such that at least a portion of the fluid coalesces on the fiber web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heterogeneous, co-continuous copolymer composition of vinylidene fluoride and at least one other comonomer. Preferred comonomers are hexafluoropropylene and perfluoroalkylvinyl ether. The co-continuous morphology is provide by first forming a first phase polymer, then adding one or more comonomers before half of the original monomer stream has been added, and at an effective level to cause phase separation of the copolymer. The co-continuous morphology provides a means for incorporating a high level of comonomer into the copolymer with little or no adverse effect on the melting temperature. The morphology also provides the copolymer composition with a unique combination of properties, including a high melting point, good flexibility and good low temperature impact resistance. The unique properties of the polymer make it useful in end-use application where those properties provide performance advantages, such as in the wire and cable market, and in oil and gas applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a knitting yarn having a water-repellent function, including providing a knitting yarn in the form of a skein or a cone, washing the provided yarn to remove impurities and oil therefrom, coating the washed yarn with a water-repellent agent by spraying a water repellent solution containing the water-repellent agent at a predetermined pressure, dehydrating and drying the coated yarn, and fixing the water-repellent agent to the yarn by applying heat to the dried yarn.

Abstract: Provided are a resin blend for melt processing, a pellet and a method of preparing a resin article using the same. The resin blend may include a first resin, and a second resin having a difference in melt viscosity from the first resin of 0.1 to 3000 pa*s at a shear rate of 100 to 1000 s?1 and a processing temperature of the resin blend. The resin blend can improve mechanical and surface characteristics of a resin article. Further, since coating or plating is not required for manufacturing a resin article, a manufacturing time and/or cost can be reduced, and productivity can be increased.

Abstract: To provide a liquid repellent composition which is excellent in liquid repellency and durability and an article having a liquid repelling film. A liquid repellent composition comprising a copolymer (I) and a copolymer (II), characterized in that the copolymer (I) containing from 65 to 95 mass % of a polymerized unit (a) (referred to as “[a1]”) and from 1 to 30 mass % of a polymerized unit (b); and the copolymer (II) containing from 25 to 80 mass % of a polymerized unit (a) (referred to as “[a2]”) and from 1 to 50 mass % of a polymerized unit (c) are contained in an amount of the copolymer (I)/the copolymer (II)=10/90 to 95/5 (mass ratio), and [a1]?[a2]?10 (mass %).

Abstract: Disclosed in the invention is a fluorine-containing polymer microsphere. A polymerization monomer, a photoinitiator and a stable dispersant are added into a reaction kettle, carbon dioxide gas is introduced for emptying air therein, then liquid carbon dioxide is injected, an initiating light source is used for irradiating in the reaction kettle after the temperature and pressure of the reaction kettle are constant, the reaction is performed under the conditions of ?20-30° C. and 20-70 bar, wherein the concentration of the polymerization monomer accounting for the total volume of the reactants is 0.02-2 g/ml, and the weight ratio of the photoinitiator, stable dispersant and polymerization monomer is (0.3-10):(2-20):100; after the reaction is finished, the temperature returns to room temperature, and the precipitate is washed with liquid carbon dioxide, so as to obtain the polymer microspheres.

Abstract: A pattern-forming method includes forming on one face side of a substrate, a directed self-assembling film, and removing a part of the directed self-assembling film. The directed self-assembling film is formed from a composition including a block copolymer and a solvent. The block copolymer includes a first block composed of a first repeating unit that includes a silicon atom, a second block composed of a second repeating unit that does not include a silicon atom, and a first group that bonds to at least one end of a main chain and links to the first block. The first group is a monovalent group that forms a compound having ClogP of no less than 2.4 provided that a methyl group is bonded to an atom on a side of the main chain. The first group does not comprise a hetero atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paste resin A which is a mixture of at least two acrylic copolymer resins A, wherein the acrylic copolymer resin A1 comprises at least one basic acrylic comonomer, and the acrylic copolymer resin A2 comprises at least one acidic acrylic comonomer, and a method of use thereof for formulating both water-borne and solvent-borne tinted paints with a wide variety of pigments.

Abstract: Described herein is a composition comprising: a polymer derived from (a) a fluorinated olefin monomer; (b) a highly fluorinated sulfur-containing monomer of the formula: CX1X2?CX3[(CX4X5)w—O—R1—SO2Y] where X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 are independently selected from H, Cl, or F; w is 0 or 1; R1 is a non-fluorinated or fluorinated alkylene group; and Y is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or OM, where M is a cation; and (c) a polyfunctional monomer comprising at least two functional groups, wherein the functional groups are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fluorovinyl ether group, (ii) a fluoroallyl ether group, (iii) a fluorinated olefinic group, and (iv) combinations thereof; articles thereof; and a method of making such polymers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a low viscosity curable (per)fluoroelastomer [fluoroelastomer (A)] having a number-averaged molecular weight of 3 000 to 45 000, said (per)fluoroelastomer comprising at least 1% moles, with respect to the total moles of recurring units, of recurring units derived from at least one (per)fluoromethoxyalkylvinylether of formula (I): CFX??CX?OCF2ORf??formula (I) wherein X? and X?, equal to or different from each other, are independently H or F; and Rf is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 (per)fluoroalkyls, linear or branched; C5-C6 cyclic (per)fluoroalkyls; and C2-C6 (per)fluorooxyalkyls, linear or branched, comprising from 1 to 3 catenary ethereal oxygen atoms [monomer (M)].

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing fluorinated core-shell polymer particles in which the core is a non-fluorinated polymer and the shell is derived from at least 50% by weight of fluorinated monomers, by 1) synthesizing a core polymer latex by aqueous emulsion polymerization of non-fluorinated monomers forming the core polymer, 2) adding the shell-forming fluorinated monomers or mixtures of at least 50% by weight of fluorinated monomers with non-fluorinated monomers to the core polymer latex of step 1) and allowing for at least one hour of equilibration time in which essentially no polymerization of the shell monomers occurs, 3) reacting the shell-forming monomers in the mixture from step 2) to form the core-shell polymer particles, wherein the process steps 1) to 3) are carried out under mechanical stirring in the absence of surfactants, emulsifiers, emulsifying monomers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: To produce a PTFE aqueous emulsion, whereby the environmental load is little, the stability of the aqueous emulsion is high, and a molded product having high heat resistance can be obtained. A process for producing a PTFE aqueous emulsion, which comprises emulsion-polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) by means of at least one fluorinated emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a C4-8 fluorinated carboxylic acid having from 1 to 4 etheric oxygen atoms in its main chain, and its salts, to obtain an aqueous emulsion containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microparticles having an average primary particle size of from 0.1 to 0.3 ?m, wherein at the beginning of the emulsion polymerization of TFE, a (polyfluoroalkyl)ethylene (a) represented by “CH2?CH—Rf1”, and/or a comonomer (b) having a monomer reactivity ratio rTFE of from 0.1 to 8 in copolymerization with tetrafluoroethylene, is incorporated to the emulsion polymerization system, so as to be from 0.001 to 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder which can be processed into molded articles high in thermal stability, chemical resistance and transparency and for which the extrusion pressure can be lowered. The present invention is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder, wherein the cylinder extrusion pressure at a reduction ratio of 1600 is not higher than 50 MPa and the haze value of molded article a for measurement formed therefrom is not higher than 60.

Abstract: The invention features a coating composition that comprises a non-urethane acrylate or methacrylate compound in combination with a fluorochemical. Typically, the non-urethane (meth)acrylate is an aliphatic or aromatic (meth)acrylate compound and the fluorochemical typically comprises a monofunctional (per)fluoropolyether (meth)acrylate compound. The coating compositions can provide a protective topcoat layer to a variety of substrates, including wood and vinyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable dispersion comprising at least, but not limited to, three key elements that, when combined accordingly, can achieve the desired superhydrophobic results; the at least three elements being a hydrophobic component, nano-structured particles and water.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material, while conveying the recording material bearing the toner image, at a nip portion includes a tubular film, a heater configured to heat the film, and a pressure member configured to form the nip portion with the film, wherein the film has a property that a resistance value per unit area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the film becomes 5×1011 (?·cm2) or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a resistance value per unit area between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes 5×109 (?·cm2) or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain photocrosslinkable fluoropolymers, processes for crosslinking the fluoropolymers using UV radiation, and the photocrosslinked fluoropolymers produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastomeric composition comprising a branched polymer obtained from a polymer selected from the group consisting of NBR, HNBR, XHNBR, EP(D)M, and maleized EPDM and from a compound adapted to form a bond at a bond of the polymer to form a side chain. This compound comprises a group Y comprising a perfluoroalkyl functional group and a functional group adapted to react with the double bond. Preferably, Y=F(CF2CF2)m/wherein m is in the range between 2 and 20; R is selected from the group consisting of a double bond C?C, a triple bond C?C, a functional alcoholic, carboxylic, esteric, acrylic, methacrylic group. The invention also relates to the use of a composition as a body compound for a drive belt and to the use thereof in an oil bath.

Abstract: A panel device includes a panel section, a first conductive layer that is provided in a side of one surface of the panel section, an insulating layer that is stacked on the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that is stacked on the insulating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are formed by coating an electrically conductive solvent-type substance. The insulating layer is formed by coating an insulating curing-acceleration-type substance.

Abstract: To provide a sealing material which is excellent in sealability under high-temperature conditions as well as crack resistance at high temperatures and high compression. A sealing material comprising a cross-linked fluororubber layer obtainable by cross-linking a fluororubber composition containing a fluororubber (A) and a carbon black (B), the cross-linked fluororubber layer having a loss modulus E? of 600 kPa or higher and 6,000 kPa or lower determined by a dynamic viscoelasticity test under conditions of measurement temperature: 160° C., tensile strain: 1%, initial force: 157 cN, and frequency: 10 Hz.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for stabilizing an organic material against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, which comprises incorporating therein or applying thereto at least a compound of the formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. The compounds of the formula I are especially useful as processing stabilizers for synthetic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluororubber composition that has excellent heat resistance and excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. The fluororubber composition comprises a peroxide cross-linkable fluororubber (A); a carbon black (B); a peroxide cross-linking agent (C); and a low-self-polymerizing cross-linking accelerator (D), wherein to 100 parts by mass of the fluororubber (A), the amount of the carbon black (B) is 5 to 50 parts by mass, the amount of the cross-linking agent (C) is 0.01 to 10 parts by mass, and the amount of the cross-linking accelerator (D) is 2.5 parts by mass or smaller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a block copolymer solution, wherein the method comprises: providing a solution comprising a block copolymer in a non aqueous solvent; and, treating the solution to remove metals using an ion exchange resin. The invention also relates to a method of forming patterns using the treated block copolymer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing block copolymers, comprising a step of controlled free-radical copolymerisation of trifluoroethylene with at least one additional monomer, different from trifluoroethylene, in the presence of a chain transfer agent, said chain transfer agent being a xanthate compound, a trithiocarbonate compound or a monoiodide compound. The invention also concerns the block copolymers likely to be obtained by this method.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes (A) a block copolymer, and (B) an acid-generating agent. The block copolymer (A) includes a polymer block (I), a polymer block (II), and a moiety contained in the polymer block (I), the polymer block (2), or both thereof. The polymer block (I) includes an acid-dissociable group. The polymer block (II) includes an alkali-dissociable group. The moiety provides water repellency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a graft block copolymer comprising a first block polymer; the first block polymer comprising a backbone polymer and a first graft polymer; where the first graft polymer comprises a surface energy reducing moiety that comprises a halocarbon moiety, a silicon containing moiety, or a combination of a halocarbon moiety and a silicon containing moiety; a second block polymer; the second block polymer being covalently bonded to the first block; wherein the second block comprises the backbone polymer and a second graft polymer; where the second graft polymer comprises a functional group that is operative to undergo acid-catalyzed deprotection causing a change of solubility of the graft block copolymer in a developer solvent.

Abstract: Provided are modified polytetrafluoroethylene particles having excellent moldability and processability. The modified polytetrafluoroethylene particles each have a core-shell structure that includes a particle core and a particle shell, the particle core having repeating units of tetrafluoroethylene and a comonomer (a), the particle shell having repeating units of tetrafluoroethylene and a comonomer (b), the comonomer (a) being a (perfluoroalkyl)ethylene represented by the following formula (I): CH2?CH—Rf??(I) wherein Rf represents a C1 to C10 perfluoroalkyl group, the comonomer (b) being at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propylene and 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propylene.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. In one aspect, the polymeric regions comprise (a) a block copolymer that comprises a polyaromatic block and a polyalkene block admixed with (b) a sulfonated high Tg polymer. In another aspect, the polymeric regions comprise a block copolymer that comprises (a) a sulfonated polymer block and (b) fluorinated polymer block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive resin composition for fabrication of circuit boards and its use. The adhesive resin composition of the present invention includes a cyanate ester resin, a fluorine-based resin powder dispersed in the cyanate ester resin, and a rubber component and has low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss factor, which enables the fabrication of circuit boards with further enhanced electrical characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene powder having moldability/processability as well as electrical characteristics in microwave bands. The present invention is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene powder which has (1) a dielectric loss tangent at 12 GHz of not higher than 2.0×10?4 and (2) a cylinder extrusion pressure of not higher than 45 MPa at a reduction ratio of 1600.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 1,5-enediyne compounds of formula (I) as curing agents in polymeric systems. In particular the invention relates to a curable composition comprising a curing agent of formula (I) and a fluorinated polymer suitable to be cross-linked and at least one fluorinated aromatic compound.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanobubbles designed for use in ultrasound-mediated ablation of cancer cells. The nanobubbles undergo ultrasound-mediated cavitation at an ablation threshold which is significantly decreased, relative to standard ultrasound-mediated treatment of cancer cells. In exemplary embodiments, the nanobubbles comprise an amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymer, wherein block A comprises a hydrophilic polymer, block B comprises a crosslinking polymer, and block C comprises a hydrophobic copolymer comprising (i) methyl methacrylate (MMA) and (ii) a fluorinated monomer, wherein the fluorinated monomer is present in the hydrophobic copolymer of block C at 25 mole percent or less. Related treatment and diagnostic methods, as well as materials relating to the nanobubbles are provided herein. Methods of making a random copolymer are furthermore provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of polymers and olefin polymerization, and more specifically olefin metathesis polymerization. The invention provides regioregular alternating polymers and methods of synthesizing such polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorine-containing curable resin that can impart high stain resistant properties to the surface of a cured coating film and can exhibit high stain resistant properties even when curing is performed in an air atmosphere (in the presence of oxygen). It is also an object to provide an active-energy-ray-curable composition that uses the fluorine-containing curable resin and can exhibit high stain resistant properties even when curing is performed in an air atmosphere and a cured product of the active-energy-ray-curable composition. To achieve the object, there is provided a fluorine-containing curable resin including a poly(perfluoroalkylene ether) chain, a maleimide group, and a mercapto group in a structure of a urethane polymer or a polymer composed of a monomer having a polymerizable unsaturated group.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for surface-modifying a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, which is capable of cost-effectively imparting a variety of functions, such as sliding properties and biocompatibility, according to the applications. The present invention relates to a surface modification method for surface-modifying an object of a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, the method including: step 1 of forming polymerization initiation points A on a surface of the object; step 2 of radically polymerizing a non-functional monomer, starting from the polymerization initiation points A, to grow non-functional polymer chains; step 3 of forming polymerization initiation points B on the surface of the object where the non-functional polymer chains are formed; and step 4 of radically polymerizing a functional monomer, starting from the polymerization initiation points B, to grow functional polymer chains.

Abstract: A fluorinated block copolymer having Rf groups with at most 6 carbon atoms, and a surface treatment agent containing such a copolymer, whereby a coating film excellent in both static liquid repellency and dynamic liquid repellency can be formed. The fluorinated block copolymer comprises a fluorinated moiety (A) having units (a) derived from a specific fluorinated monomer and a non-fluorinated moiety (B) having units (b) derived from a non-fluorinated monomer, wherein to all units, the proportion of the above units (a) is from 15 to 40 mol %, and the proportion of the above units (b) is from 60 to 85 mol %; a process for its production; and a surface treatment agent containing the fluorinated block copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed therein are an acrylate compound having a photoreactive group, a photoreactive acrylate polymer, and a photo-alignment layer comprising the same that not only have excellences in alignment properties and alignment rate and readiness for change in the alignment direction based on the polarization direction of radiation but also exhibit a high solubility to organic solvents and good workability.