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.

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.

The present invention discloses a process for polymerizing fluoromonomers in an aqueous medium to form a fluoropolymer, said process comprising the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous solution comprising a first surfactant combination of at least one fluorinated surfactant and at least one non-10 fluorinated surfactant in a polymerization reactor; (b) pressurizing the polymerization reactor with said fluoromonomers; (c) initiating a polymerization reaction of said fluoromonomers to form said fluoropolymer; (d) propagation of said polymerization reaction, wherein a second surfactant combination of at least one fluorinated surfactant and at least one non-fluorinated surfactant is 15 metered or one shot dosed into the polymerization reactor; and (e) termination of said polymerization reaction after consumption of a desired quantity of said fluoromonomers.

The present invention discloses a process for polymerizing fluoromonomers in an aqueous medium to form a fluoropolymer, said process comprising the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous solution comprising a first surfactant combination of at least one fluorinated surfactant and at least one non-10 fluorinated surfactant in a polymerization reactor; (b) pressurizing the polymerization reactor with said fluoromonomers; (c) initiating a polymerization reaction of said fluoromonomers to form said fluoropolymer; (d) propagation of said polymerization reaction, wherein a second surfactant combination of at least one fluorinated surfactant and at least one non-fluorinated surfactant is 15 metered or one shot dosed into the polymerization reactor; and (e) termination of said polymerization reaction after consumption of a desired quantity of said fluoromonomers.

Provided in this patent disclosure are two types of novel fluoro-monomers that can be polymerized for the fabrication of ion-exchange fluoropolymers. In addition, new proton-conductive zirconium-perfluorophosphonic acid fluoropolymer membranes that can reduce metal crossovers in redox flow batteries are also provided.

Described herein is method of adding a non-fluorinated carbon-carbon double bond to a highly fluorinated polymer via an amidine linkage. In one embodiment, the derivatized fluorinated polymer comprising a highly fluorinated polymer backbone with pendent groups therefrom is disclosed, wherein at least one pendent group is according to the formula: (I) where Rf is a bond or a divalent perfluorinated group, optionally comprising at least one in-chain ether linkage, R is H, an alkyl group, or —CH(R″)X; R′ is H or an alkyl group; X is a monovalent group comprising at least one non-fluorinated carbon-carbon double bond; and R″ is H or an alkyl group. Such derivatized fluorinated polymers may be used in curable compositions and articles therefrom.

##STR00001##

Described herein is method of adding a non-fluorinated carbon-carbon double bond to a highly fluorinated polymer via an amidine linkage. In one embodiment, the derivatized fluorinated polymer comprising a highly fluorinated polymer backbone with pendent groups therefrom is disclosed, wherein at least one pendent group is according to the formula: (I) where Rf is a bond or a divalent perfluorinated group, optionally comprising at least one in-chain ether linkage, R is H, an alkyl group, or —CH(R″)X; R′ is H or an alkyl group; X is a monovalent group comprising at least one non-fluorinated carbon-carbon double bond; and R″ is H or an alkyl group. Such derivatized fluorinated polymers may be used in curable compositions and articles therefrom.

##STR00001##

An electrode comprising KVOPO.sub.4 as an active ingredient, wherein the electrode is capable of electrochemical insertion and release of alkali metal ions, e.g., sodium ions. The KVOPO.sub.4 may be milled to 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 KVOPO.sub.4 cathode, a sodium ion donor anode, and a sodium ion transport electrolyte. The VOPO.sub.4, preferably has a volume greater than 90 Å.sup.3 per VOPO.sub.4.

The invention relates to a composition based on a thermoplastic fluoropolymer powder, in particular on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with improved flowability, particularly suitable for manufacturing parts by 3D laser sintering. The invention also relates to a method for agglomerating powder layer by layer, by melting or sintering using said composition. The invention finally relates to a three-dimensional article obtained by implementing said method.

The present invention aims to provide a method of producing a fluoropolymer, especially a fluoropolymer essentially including a tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene unit, at a higher polymerization rate with improved efficiency, the method being capable of improving the moldability in extrusion molding and suppressing discoloration. The method of producing a fluoropolymer of the present invention includes producing a fluoropolymer by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene in the presence of a peroxydicarbonate. The peroxydicarbonate is represented by the formula:
R—O—C(═O)—O—O—C(═O)—O—R
wherein R's may be the same as or different from each other and individually represent a C4 alkyl group or alkoxy alkyl group.