Disclosed apparatus may include a membrane, a first electrode supported by the membrane, a second electrode, and optionally a controller configured to control an electrical potential applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. Example apparatus may include one or more flexible membranes that may, at least in part, define an enclosure that is at least partially filled with a dielectric fluid. A flexible membrane may include a functionalized polymer or inorganic dielectric material, such as a fluoropolymer composite including at least one electrically conductive additive and/or at least one toughener. Examples also include associated materials (e.g., polymers), methods of fabrication, methods of apparatus operation, and systems.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing of partially fluorinated polymers, notably vinylidene fluoride (VDF)-based polymers, in emulsion polymerization, and to a polymer obtained from said method.

A method for producing a fluoropolymer, which includes polymerizing a fluoromonomer in a solvent to produce the fluoropolymer. The solvent contains a fluorine-containing ether compound (1) represented by

formula:R.sup.1—O—R.sup.2

wherein R.sup.1 represents a partially fluorinated alkyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a non-fluorinated alkyl group, a partially fluorinated alkyl group, or a completely fluorinated alkyl group, and in the solvent, a content of a fluorine-containing olefin compound (2) represented by

formula:R.sup.3—CF═CF—R.sup.4—O—R.sup.2

wherein R.sup.3 represents H, F, a partially fluorinated alkyl group, or a completely fluorinated alkyl group, R.sup.4 represents a single bond, a partially fluorinated alkylene group, or a completely fluorinated alkylene group, and R.sup.2 is the same as described above, is 1.00% by mass or less based on a content of the fluorine-containing ether compound (1), and wherein the fluoromonomer is selected from tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

To provide an electrolyte material having a low hydrogen gas permeability and excellent hot water resistance. An electrolyte material comprising a polymer having units represented by the following formula u1 and units based on chlorotrifluoroethylene at the specific proportion: ##STR00001##
wherein Q.sup.11 is a perfluoroalkylene group which may have an etheric oxygen atom, Q.sup.12 is a single bond or a perfluoroalkylene group which may have an etheric oxygen atom, Y.sup.1 is a fluorine atom or the like, s is 0 or 1, R.sup.f1 is a perfluoroalkyl group which may have an etheric oxygen atom, X.sup.1 is an oxygen atom or the like, a is 0 when X.sup.1 is an oxygen, and Z.sup.+ is H.sup.+ or the like.

Disclosed are a method for a preparing fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, a single-side or double-side filled composite film prepared using the fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, and a method for preparing the film. The fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer single-side or double-side filled composite film comprises a microporous film skeleton and the fluorine- and a chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin. The composite film is mechanically stronger, more waterproof, more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, and more moisture permeability. When applied to biochemical protective clothing, it can greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the soldiers because it is light and more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, brings about comfort, and keeps the soldiers warm. When applied to fuel cells, it can provide better electrical properties due to its high conductivity and can allow the fuel, such as hydrogen or alcohol, to burn more completely.

To provide an acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer which is excellent in hydrogen gas barrier properties and hot water resistance and which generates less oligomer during production; a liquid composition and a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising this acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer; and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with the polymer electrolyte membrane.

This acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer is a polymer which has perfluoromonomer units, no monomer units having a halogen atom other than a fluorine atom, and acid-type sulfonic acid groups, and of which the hydrogen gas permeability coefficient under the conditions of a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 10%, is at most 2.5×10.sup.−9 cm.sup.3.Math.cm/(s.Math.cm.sup.2.Math.cmHg), and the mass reduction rate when being immersed in hot water at 120° C. for 24 hours is at most 15 mass %, wherein the TQ value of a polymer having fluorosulfonyl groups which is a precursor of the polymer having acid-type sulfonic acid groups, is at least 220° C.

To provide an acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer which is excellent in hydrogen gas barrier properties and hot water resistance and which generates less oligomer during production; a liquid composition and a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising this acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer; and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with the polymer electrolyte membrane.

This acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing polymer is a polymer which has perfluoromonomer units, no monomer units having a halogen atom other than a fluorine atom, and acid-type sulfonic acid groups, and of which the hydrogen gas permeability coefficient under the conditions of a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 10%, is at most 2.5×10.sup.−9 cm.sup.3.Math.cm/(s.Math.cm.sup.2.Math.cmHg), and the mass reduction rate when being immersed in hot water at 120° C. for 24 hours is at most 15 mass %, wherein the TQ value of a polymer having fluorosulfonyl groups which is a precursor of the polymer having acid-type sulfonic acid groups, is at least 220° C.

Provided is a method for producing a purified fluoropolymer containing less fluoridable end groups. The production method includes: (a) melting a fluoropolymer to give a molten fluoropolymer; (b) reducing a reaction inhibitor in the molten fluoropolymer; (c) bringing the molten fluoropolymer into contact with an active substance after the step (b); and (d) removing a volatile matter from the molten fluoropolymer after the step (c).

Provided is a method for producing a purified fluoropolymer containing less fluoridable end groups. The production method includes: (a) melting a fluoropolymer to give a molten fluoropolymer; (b) reducing a reaction inhibitor in the molten fluoropolymer; (c) bringing the molten fluoropolymer into contact with an active substance after the step (b); and (d) removing a volatile matter from the molten fluoropolymer after the step (c).

Described herein is method of making branched perfluorinated compounds, specifically (CF.sub.3).sub.2CFCF(CF.sub.3)OCF(CF.sub.3)C(═O)F and (CF.sub.3).sub.2CFCF(CF.sub.3)OCF═CF.sub.2. Also disclosed herein is a fluoropolymer derived from the branched perfluorovinyl ether monomer and methods of making the fluoropolymer.