METHOD OF MAKING A COPOLYMER OF TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE HAVING SULFONYL PENDANT GROUPS

• Main Authors: LOCHHAAS, Kai H, DUCHESNE, Denis, DAHLKE, Gregg D, THALER, Arne, ZIPPLIES, Tilman C, HIRSCHBERG, Markus, HINTZER, Klaus
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 07.06.2023
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; CHEMISTRY; COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES ORLACQUERS; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; CORRECTING FLUIDS; DYES; ELECTRICITY; FILLING PASTES; INKS; MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVINGCARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS; METALLURGY; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PAINTS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; POLISHES; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR; WOODSTAINS

A method of making a copolymer is disclosed. The method includes copolymerizing components including tetrafluoroethylene and a compound represented by formula CF2═CF-O-(CF2)a-SO2X, wherein "a" is a number from 1 to 4, and X is -NZH, -NZ-SO2-(CF2)1-6-SO2X′, or -OZ, wherein Z is independently a hydrogen, an alkali metal cation, or a quaternary ammonium cation, and wherein X′ is independently -NZH or -OZ. The components include at least 60 mole % of tetrafluoroethylene based on the total amount of components. A copolymer prepared by the method is also provided. A method of making a membrane using the copolymer is also provided. The present disclosure also provides a polymer electrolyte membrane that includes a copolymer made by the method and a membrane electrode assembly that includes such a polymer electrolyte membrane.