The present invention relates to a method of producing a polymer including: polymerizing a compound represented by the following formula (3); or copolymerizing the compound represented by the following formula (3) with a compound (6) having a reactive carbon-carbon double bond and differing from the compound represented by the following formula (3), in a presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1) and compounds represented by the following formula (2).

The present invention is directed to partially fluorinated copolymers and the production thereof. More specifically, the copolymers, which are preferably produced by a solution polymerization process, preferably have at least three units, the first unit selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the second unit having a polymerized monomer selected from the vinyl esters and vinyl ethers, and the third unit having a polymerized monomer derived from a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether. The resulting copolymer is environmentally friendly, has favorable molecular weight characteristics, and may be shipped economically in high concentration.

The present invention is directed to partially fluorinated copolymers and the production thereof. More specifically, the copolymers, which are preferably produced by a solution polymerization process, preferably have at least three units, the first unit selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the second unit having a polymerized monomer selected from the vinyl esters and vinyl ethers, and the third unit having a polymerized monomer derived from a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether. The resulting copolymer is environmentally friendly, has favorable molecular weight characteristics, and may be shipped economically in high concentration.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive resin composition having good liquid repellency. The photosensitive resin composition of the present invention at least contains a fluororesin having a crosslinking site, a solvent, and a photopolymerization initiator, and the fluororesin contains a repeating unit derived from a hydrocarbon having a fluorine atom.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive resin composition having good liquid repellency. The photosensitive resin composition of the present invention at least contains a fluororesin having a crosslinking site, a solvent, and a photopolymerization initiator, and the fluororesin contains a repeating unit derived from a hydrocarbon having a fluorine atom.

An electrode comprising a space group Pna2.sub.1 VOPO.sub.4 lattice, capable of electrochemical insertion and release of alkali metal ions, e.g., sodium ions. The VOPO.sub.4 lattice may be formed by solid phase synthesis of KVOPO.sub.4, milled with carbon particles to increase conductivity. A method of forming an electrode is provided, comprising milling a mixture of ammonium metavanadate, ammonium phosphate monobasic, and potassium carbonate; heating the milled mixture to a reaction temperature, and holding the reaction temperature until a solid phase synthesis of KVOPO.sub.4 occurs; milling the KVOPO.sub.4 together with conductive particles to form a conductive mixture of fine particles; and adding binder material to form a conductive cathode. A sodium ion battery is provided having a conductive NaVOPO.sub.4 cathode derived by replacement of potassium in KVOPO.sub.4, a sodium ion donor anode, and a sodium ion transport electrolyte. The VOPO.sub.4, preferably has a volume greater than 90 .sup.3 per VOPO.sub.4.

The process includes providing an aqueous mixture including perfluorinated monomers, a fluoroalkyl sulfinic acid or salt thereof, and an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the fluoroalkyl sulfinic acid or salt thereof and polymerizing the perfluorinated Nmonomers under free radical conditions to provide an aqueous dispersion of the fluoropolymer. The fluoroalkyl group has from one to three carbon atoms. The amount of perfluorooctanoic acid or salt thereof in the aqueous dispersion of the fluoropolymer as polymerized is not more than 25 nanograms per gram of the fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer made by the process is also described.

The process includes providing an aqueous mixture including perfluorinated monomers, a fluoroalkyl sulfinic acid or salt thereof, and an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the fluoroalkyl sulfinic acid or salt thereof and polymerizing the perfluorinated Nmonomers under free radical conditions to provide an aqueous dispersion of the fluoropolymer. The fluoroalkyl group has from one to three carbon atoms. The amount of perfluorooctanoic acid or salt thereof in the aqueous dispersion of the fluoropolymer as polymerized is not more than 25 nanograms per gram of the fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer made by the process is also described.

A curable composition capable of being cured at a low temperature of from room temperature to 150 C. is provided. The curable composition comprises a fluorinated polymer containing at least three functional groups represented by the following formula (F) and at least one curing agent selected from the group consisting of an isocyanate-type curing agent, a blocked isocyanate-type curing agent and an amino resin-type curing agent:

R.sup.f1COZ.sup.1 (F) (in the formula (1), R.sup.f1 is a fluoroalkylene group, or a fluoroalkylene group with at least two carbon atoms having an etheric oxygen atom between carbon-carbon atoms, Z.sup.1 is NR.sup.1NR.sup.2H or NR.sup.3OR.sup.4, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.)

Disclosed are protective coating compositions having enhanced gloss retention properties formed by steps comprising: (i) providing one or more fluorocopolymers by copolymerization of (1) one or more hydrofluoroolefin monomer(s) selected from the group consisting of hydrofluoroethylenes, hydrofluoropropenes, hydrofluorobutenes, hydrofluoropentenes and combinations of these, (2) one or more vinyl ester monomer(s), and (3) one or more vinyl ether monomer(s), wherein at least a portion of said vinyl ether monomer is a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether monomer, wherein the copolymer preferably has a number average molecular weight of greater than about 10,000; (ii) providing a VOC containing carrier for said one or more fluorocopolymers; and (iii) providing a stabilizing agent comprising: a) a radical scavenger and b) an absorber of UV light; and (iv) combining said one or more fluorocopolymers with said carrier and said stabilizing agent to produce a polymeric coating composition.