Curable fluoropolymer containing repeating units derived from VDF and TFE and at least one other fluorinated co-monomer and further containing CF.sub.2CH.sub.2I end groups and branching sites derived from one or more perfluorinated bisolefinic ether(s) used as modifier(s), wherein the one or more perfluorinated bisolefinic ether(s) used as modifier(s) correspond to the general formula:

CF.sub.2CF(CF.sub.2)nO(R.sub.1)O(CF.sub.2).sub.mCFCF.sub.2

wherein n and m are independent from each other either 1 or 0 and wherein R.sub.1 represents a perfluorinated linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon residue that may be interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms and comprises up to 30 carbon atoms. Further provided are methods of making the curable fluoropolymers and for making an article containing the curable polymers.

The invention relates to an anode for a Li-ion rechargeable battery, said anode being covered with a protective film based on fluorinated copolymer(s). The invention also relates to the processes for preparing this anode. The invention also relates to a Li-ion rechargeable battery comprising an anode according to the invention. The invention lastly relates to the use of fluorinated copolymer(s) as film for covering an anode for a lithium-ion battery comprising a negative electrode active material.

Provided is a fluoropolymer containing a polymerization unit (I) derived from a monomer (I) represented by the general formula (I) and a polymerization unit (II) derived from a monomer (II) represented by the formula (II):

CX.sup.1X.sup.3CX.sup.2R(CZ.sup.1Z.sup.2-A.sup.0).sub.m(I)

wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.3 are each independently F, Cl, H, or CF.sub.3; X.sup.2 is H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; A.sup.0 is an anionic group; R is a linking group; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and m is an integer of 1 or more; and

CHFCHF(II)

The present teachings relate to a photopatternable composition including a vinylidene fluoride-based polymer, a photosensitive non-nucleophilic base, and a crosslinking agent. The photopatternable composition can be used to prepare a patterned thin film component for use in an electronic, optical, or optoelectronic device such as an organic thin film transistor. The patterned thin film component can be used as a gate dielectric with a high dielectric constant, for example, a dielectric constant greater than 10.

To provide a fluorinated elastomer from which it is possible to produce a crosslinked article excellent in cold resistance and excellent in mechanical strength; a fluorinated elastomer composition containing said elastomer; and a fluorinated elastomer crosslinked article obtained by molding and crosslinking said composition. The fluorinated elastomer comprises units (A) based on vinylidene fluoride and units (B) based on a perfluorovinyl ether represented by CF.sub.2CFOR.sup.f, and has iodine atoms at main chain terminals, wherein the molar ratio [(A)/(B)] of units (A) to units (B) is from 88/12 to 50/50. In the formula, R.sup.f is a C.sub.1-20 perfluoroalkyl group having a branched structure, or a C.sub.2-20 perfluoroalkyl group having a branched structure and also having an etheric oxygen atom between carbon atoms.

A member to be compressed for an electrochemical device obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable composition containing a fluorine-containing elastomer containing a unit based on at least one crosslinkable group-containing monomer selected from the group consisting of a crosslinkable group-containing monomer (1) represented by the general formula (1):
CX.sup.1.sub.2CFRf.sup.1X.sup.2 wherein each X.sup.1 independently represents H or F, and Rf.sup.1 represents a fluorinated alkylene group or a fluorinated oxyalkylene group, and X.sup.2 represents I or Br; and a crosslinkable group-containing monomer (2) represented by the general formula (2):
CX.sup.3.sub.2CX.sup.3Z.sup.1CX.sup.3CX.sup.3.sub.2 wherein each X.sup.3 independently represents H, F, an alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group, and Z.sup.1 represents an alkylene group, a fluorinated alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a fluorinated cycloalkylene group, an oxyalkylene group or a fluorinated oxyalkylene group.

A member to be compressed for an electrochemical device obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable composition containing a fluorine-containing elastomer containing a unit based on at least one crosslinkable group-containing monomer selected from the group consisting of a crosslinkable group-containing monomer (1) represented by the general formula (1):
CX.sup.1.sub.2CFRf.sup.1X.sup.2 wherein each X.sup.1 independently represents H or F, and Rf.sup.1 represents a fluorinated alkylene group or a fluorinated oxyalkylene group, and X.sup.2 represents I or Br; and a crosslinkable group-containing monomer (2) represented by the general formula (2):
CX.sup.3.sub.2CX.sup.3Z.sup.1CX.sup.3CX.sup.3.sub.2 wherein each X.sup.3 independently represents H, F, an alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group, and Z.sup.1 represents an alkylene group, a fluorinated alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a fluorinated cycloalkylene group, an oxyalkylene group or a fluorinated oxyalkylene group.

The invention relates to very high melt flow fluoropolymer compositions, having low melt viscosities. The fluoropolymers have low molecular weights of from 5 kDa to 200 kDa and melt viscosities of less than 2 kilopoise (kP) at 232 C. and 100 s.sup.1. One use for the high melt flow fluoropolymers is in the formation of very small diameters fibers, useful for melt-blown non-woven materials. Fiber diameters of less than 9 microns, and preferably 500 to 2000 nm can be produced.

The invention pertains to a method for emulsion polymerization of at least one fluoromonomer, said method comprising: (i) providing at least one aqueous emulsion comprising at least one surfactant and a monomer mixture [mixture (M)] comprising at least one fluoromonomer [monomer (F)] and optionally at least one additional monomer, and at least one RAFT/MADIX agent; (ii) initiating the polymerization of said monomer mixture in said aqueous emulsion adding at least one radical initiator; (iii) continuing the polymerization by adding additional amounts of said mixture (M) and said RAFT/MADIX agent, until converting the targeted amount of said mixture (M), and (iv) terminating the polymerization and recovering a latex of fluoropolymer [polymer (F)]; wherein the amount of RAFT/MADIX agent is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5% moles, with respect to the total amount of converted monomers of said monomer mixture, and wherein the amount of said RAFT/MADIX agent present in the aqueous emulsion when initiating the polymerization in step (ii) is of at most 50% with respect to the total amount of said RAFT/MADIX agent.

This invention pertains to a novel perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer with perfluoroether pendant groups. The perfluoroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof is particularly well-suited for use in chemically and thermally aggressive environments, in part by virtue of the highly stable perfluoroalkyl crosslink. The perfluroalkyl-crosslinked fluoropolymer hereof can be prepared by crosslinking in situ a crosslinkable precursor in the form of a shaped article. A crosslinkable precursor is a fluoropolymer having a dichloroamino-functionalized functionalized perfluoroether pendant group.