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.

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.

Fluoropolymers containing one or more azide group wherein the azide group is not a sulfonyl-azide group and processes of preparing them.

Fluoropolymers containing one or more azide group wherein the azide group is not a sulfonyl-azide group and processes of preparing them.

An electrode current collector including a metal foil wherein a coating layer is formed on one or both surfaces of the metal foil, and a contact angle with pure water of the surface of the coating layer at a side opposite to the metal foil side is 30° or more.

Provided is a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer, comprising polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a fluorine-containing compound (1) represented by general formula (1) and an aqueous medium to produce an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer:

CX.sup.1X.sup.2═CX.sup.3—Z  General formula (1):

wherein X.sup.1 to X.sup.3 are each independently H, F, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; when X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are both H, X.sup.3 is F or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; Z is a group represented by —COOM, —SO.sub.3M, —OSO.sub.3M, —PO(OM).sub.2, —OPO(OM).sub.2, —BO(OM).sub.2, or —OBO(OM).sub.2; M is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.1.sub.4, optionally substituted imidazolium, optionally substituted pyridinium, or optionally substituted phosphonium; and R.sup.1 is independently H or an organic group, and any two R.sup.1 are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring.

Provided is a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer, comprising polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a fluorine-containing compound (1) represented by general formula (1) and an aqueous medium to produce an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer:

CX.sup.1X.sup.2═CX.sup.3—Z  General formula (1):

wherein X.sup.1 to X.sup.3 are each independently H, F, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; when X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are both H, X.sup.3 is F or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; Z is a group represented by —COOM, —SO.sub.3M, —OSO.sub.3M, —PO(OM).sub.2, —OPO(OM).sub.2, —BO(OM).sub.2, or —OBO(OM).sub.2; M is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.1.sub.4, optionally substituted imidazolium, optionally substituted pyridinium, or optionally substituted phosphonium; and R.sup.1 is independently H or an organic group, and any two R.sup.1 are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring.

A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon. Further, the functionalized fluorinated monomers may be reacted to form polymers or oligomers, or with polymers or oligomers having functional groups to modify the polymer or oligomer through the functional group thereon.

A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon. Further, the functionalized fluorinated monomers may be reacted to form polymers or oligomers, or with polymers or oligomers having functional groups to modify the polymer or oligomer through the functional group thereon.

The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a (per)fluoropolymer, said process comprising polymerizing one or more fluorinated monomers in the presence of a multi-phase medium, said medium comprising: (A) a water phase [phase (W)]; (B) at least one fluorinated surfactant [surfactant (FS)] having formula (I) here below:
R.sub.f—(OCF.sub.2CF.sub.2).sub.k-1—O—CF.sub.2—COOX.sub.a  (I) wherein R.sub.f is a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl group comprising, optionally, one or more ether oxygen atoms, k is 2 or 3 and X.sub.a is a selected from a monovalent metal and an ammonium group of formula NR.sup.N.sub.4, wherein R.sup.N, equal or different at each occurrence, is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl group; (C) an oil phase [phase (O)] comprising: at least one non-functional (per)fluoropolyether (non-functional PFPE) comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain [chain (R.sub.F)] and at least one functional (per)fluoropolyether (functional PFPE) comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain [chain (R′.sub.F)] and having a number average molecular weight of at least 1000 and a solubility of less than 1% by weight in water at 25° C.