Arkema Inc.

Atofina Chemicals, Inc.

University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

Total Marketing Services

Lotfi Hedhli

Mehdi Durali

Ramin Amin-Sanayei

Roice Andrus Wille

Kurt Arthur Wood

Scott R Gaboury

Fabienne Piroux

Sayed Youssef Antoun

Laurent Billon

Patrick M Piccione

Holger Amort

Isabelle Decker

Maher Y Elsheikh

William R Dolbier, Jr

John Schmidhauser

Walter Phillip Kosar

Ravi R Gupta

Claude Granel

Daniel Thomas

Nafih Mekhilef

Roderick Reber, Iii

Kevin Hanrahan

Larry Wempe

Sylviane Pulvin

Samuel Djelassi

Michel Foure

Kai Wu

Valerie Rodriguez-Garcia

Wayne Skilton

Patrick Manuel Piccione

Holger Ernst Amort

Scott Richard Gaboury

Holger E Amort

The invention relates to membranes formed from long chain branched fluoropolymers, and especially long chain branched homopolymers and copolymers of polyvinylidene fluoride such as KYNAR resins. The novel membranes retain all the advantages of a fluoropolymer membrane (excellent chemical resistance especially to strong acids and oxidizing agents, and good mechanical strength), and additionally offer improved permeability, improved strain hardening, and even better resistance to caustic attacks. The improvements are believed to be related to an improvement to the microstructure of the membranes, producing a more open structure due to the long chain branched fluoropolymers. Further improvements in the mechanical properties of the membranes can be induced by strain hardening.

Long chain branched fluoropolymer membranes

The invention relates to methods of polymerizing fluoromonomers using non-fluorinated surfactants, in particular to emulsion polymerization method for producing fluoropolymer latex. Specifically, the method of polymerization uses one or more alkyl sulfate surfactants.

Method of producing fluoropolymers using alkyl sulfate surfactants

A fluoropolymer latex is obtained by emulsion polymerization of one or more fluoromonomers in the presence of one or more acid-functionalized monomers such as vinyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof. A fluorosurfactant need not be present.

Method of producing fluoropolymers using acid-functionalized monomers

A method of regenerating an enzymatic catalyst arranged in a reactor includes a mineral support based on metal oxide and at least one enzyme, wherein it contains at least one step of detachment of the spent enzymes by solvation by scavenging of the catalyst using at least one ionic surfactant, and at least one step of re-attachment of active enzymes by scavenging of the purified support with at least one solution of active enzymes, the two steps being performed in situ within the reactor.

Method of regenerating an enzymatic catalyst

The present invention relates to a method for the polymerization in an aqueous medium of monomers, and especially of fluoromonomers, using non-fluorinated surfactants; and the fluoropolymers formed therefrom. Specifically, the method of the polymerization uses one or more non-fluorinated surfactants selected from the group consisting of polyvinylphosphonic acid, polyacrylic acids, polyvinyl sulfonic acid, and salts thereof. Additionally, the use of polyvinylphosphonic acid, polyacrylic acids, polyvinyl sulfonic acid as surfactants in aqueous free radical polymerization is also novel.

Polymerization of fluoropolymers using non-fluorinated surfactants

The invention relates to the preparation of branched fluoropolymers having long chain branches and little or no gels, by a process involving polymerization at high temperatures using persulfates and optionally multifunctional initiators. The invention also relates to gel-free, branched polymers with strain hardening produced by the process.

Branched fluoropolymers

The present invention relates to a method for the polymerization of fluoromonomers using non-fluorinated polycaprolactone, and to the fluoropolymers formed thereby. Specifically, the method of the polymerization uses one or more polycaprolactone, or salts thereof.

Polymerization of fluoropolymers using polycaprolactone

The present invention relates to a method for the polymerization of fluoromonomers using non-fluorinated alkyl phosphonate surfactants, and to the fluoropolymers formed thereby. Specifically, the method of the polymerization uses one or more alkyl phosphonic acids or salts thereof.

Polymerization of fluoropolymers using alkyl phosphonate surfactants

Multi-layer polyelectrolyte membranes are described wherein at least one of the layers contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group, and at least one additional polymer. The polymer has small or large domain sizes with respect to the acrylic resin or vinyl resin that is present in one or more layers. The polymer preferably has improved conductivity when formed into a film. The membranes are useful in batteries, fuel cells, and the like.

Multi-layer polyelectrolyte membrane

The invention relates to an aqueous-based fluoropolymer coating that is especially useful for use over flat or low-slope flexible surfaces, and more specifically for flat or low-slope roofing. The coating can be factory or field applied. The coating offers the advantages of improved durability, lower dirt pick-up, stain resistance, water repellency, increased solar reflectivity duration, and mildew resistance.

Highly weatherable roof coatings containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions

A process for producing a class of polyarylenes having p-bis-(chlorodifluoromethyl) benzene or p-bis(bromodifluoromethyl) benzene as a comonomer. The p-bis-(chlorodifluoromethyl) benzene or the p-bis(bromodifluoromethyl)benzene act as precursors in a polycondensation reaction with a difunctional monomer.

Methods for producing thermoplastic fluoropolymers

A polymer or blend is described which contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group, and at least one additional polymer. The polymer has small domain sizes with respect to the acrylic resin or vinyl resin. The polymer preferably has improved conductivity when formed into a film. Preferably, the polymers are useful in a variety of applications including in the formation of a membrane which is useful in batteries and fuel cells and the like. Methods of making the polymer blends are also described.

Resins containing ionic or ionizable groups with small domain sizes and improved conductivity

Nonfluorinated surfactants selected from C7&#x2013;C20 linear 1-alkanesulfonates, 2-alkanesulfones, and 1,2-alkanedisulfones are particularly effective for stabilizing emulsions in preparing non-elastomeric fluoropolymers containing at least 71 wt % vinylidene fluoride and having at least a 2% crystalline polyvinylidene fluoride content. Processes for making such fluoropolymers using these surfactants, particularly in combination with one or both of a nonionic polymerization initiator and the use of mechanical coagulation to isolate the product, are also provided, as are fluoropolymers made thereby.

Method of producing thermoplastic fluoropolymers using alkyl sulfonate surfactants

A polymer blend is described which contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group and at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer. Preferably, the polymer blend is an intimate blend of the two polymers which are useful in a variety of applications including in the formation of a membrane which is useful in batteries and fuel cells and the like. Methods of making the polymer blends are also described.

Fluoropolymer resins containing ionic or ionizable groups and products containing the same

Fluoropolymers are prepared by a process comprising polymerizing at least one fluoromonomer in an aqueous reaction medium containing monomer, a radical initiator and a 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid salt as surfactant. The medium may optionally contain one or more of an antifoulant, a buffering agent and a chain-transfer agent.

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King of Prussia, PA, United States of America

Lotfi Hedhli