A process comprising polymerizing at least one fluorinated monomer in an aqueous medium containing initiator and polymerization agent to form an aqueous dispersion of particles of fluoropolymer, the polymerization agent comprising: fluoropolyether acid or salt thereof having a number average molecular weight of at least about 800 g/mol; and fluorosurfactant having the formula:
[R.sup.1—O.sub.n-L-A.sup.−]Y.sup.+ wherein: R.sup.1 is a linear or branched partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group which may contain ether linkages; n is 0 or 1; L is a linear or branched alkylene group which may be nonfluorinated, partially fluorinated or fully fluorinated and which may contain ether linkages; A.sup.− is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfonamide anion, and phosphonate; and Y.sup.+ is hydrogen, ammonium or alkali metal cation; with the proviso that the chain length of R.sup.1—O.sub.n-L- is not greater than 6 atoms.

The invention includes a method of bonding a perfluoroelastomer material to first surface that includes: (a) contacting a first surface with a bonding agent comprising a curable perfluoropolymer and a curing agent; (b) curing the bonding agent to form a perfluoroelastomer material that is bonded to the first surface. In the practice of such method, the bonding agent may be a solution prepared by dissolving the curable perfluoroelastomer and the curing agent in a solvent. In an embodiment of the invention, the perfluoroelastomer material formed in step (b) is a coating layer or, alternatively, the first surface is a surface of a perfluoroelastomer member and the perfluoroelastomer material formed is a perfluoroelastomer weld.

The invention includes a method of bonding a perfluoroelastomer material to first surface that includes: (a) contacting a first surface with a bonding agent comprising a curable perfluoropolymer and a curing agent; (b) curing the bonding agent to form a perfluoroelastomer material that is bonded to the first surface. In the practice of such method, the bonding agent may be a solution prepared by dissolving the curable perfluoroelastomer and the curing agent in a solvent. In an embodiment of the invention, the perfluoroelastomer material formed in step (b) is a coating layer or, alternatively, the first surface is a surface of a perfluoroelastomer member and the perfluoroelastomer material formed is a perfluoroelastomer weld.

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 Å.sup.3 per VOPO.sub.4.

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 method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polyfunctional perfluoropolyether derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO.sub.3X.sub.a, —PO.sub.3X.sub.a and —COOX.sub.a, whereas X.sub.a is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and whereas said groups are comprised as pendant groups in the perfluoropolyether chain, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polyfunctional perfluoropolyether derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO.sub.3X.sub.a, —PO.sub.3X.sub.a and —COOX.sub.a, whereas X.sub.a is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and whereas said groups are comprised as pendant groups in the perfluoropolyether chain, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

A solid electrolyte composition for a lithium secondary battery including a fluorine-based polymer having grafted thereon a unit comprising alkylene oxide group and a crosslinkable functional group. The polymer may be formed by a process including grafting a monomer on a fluorine-based polymer, where the monomer includes alkylene oxide group and a crosslinkable functional group. Also disclosed is a solid electrolyte for a secondary battery formed by thermally curing the composition. By graft copolymerizing a monomer including alkylene oxide group and a crosslinkable functional group on a fluorine-based polymer having high lithium ion conductivity, the solid electrolyte is capable of providing a solid electrolyte for a secondary battery having significantly enhanced solid electrolyte ion conductivity and electrochemical stability.

A method for producing a purified fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion, which includes: (A) bringing a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion obtained using a hydrocarbon surfactant into contact with an anion exchange resin A or a synthetic adsorbent. The anion exchange resin A has an ion-exchange group represented by the following general formula (A1):

—N+R.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3X—

wherein each of R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different, and are each a hydrogen atom or an organic group, and at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is an organic group having 3 or more carbon atoms; and X is a counter ion; or an ion-exchange group represented by the following general formula (A2):

—NR.sup.4R.sup.5

wherein each of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different, and are each a hydrogen atom or an organic group, and at least one of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is an organic group having 2 or more carbon atoms.