PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SULFONYL FLUORIDE POLYMERS

摘要

A process for reducing the amount of soluble polymeric fractions in a sulfonyl fluoride polymer. The process comprises contacting the sulfonyl fluoride polymer with a fluorinated fluid followed by separation of the polymer from the fluid. The fluorinated fluid is selected from hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoropolyethers. The invention further relates to sulfonyl fluoride polymers obtainable by the process and having a heat of fusion not exceeding 4 J/g and containing less than 15% by weight of polymeric fractions having an average content of monomeric units comprising a sulfonyl functional group exceeding 24 mole %. The sulfonyl fluoride polymers so obtained are particularly suitable for the preparation of ionomeric membranes for use in electrochemical devices.

主权项

1. A process for reducing to less than 15% by weight the amount of polymeric fractions in which greater than 24 mole % of such polymeric fractions comprise monomeric units having at least one sulfonyl fluoride group, in a sulfonyl fluoride polymer having a heat of fusion not exceeding 4 J/g, measured according to ASTM 3418-08, said process comprising:
contacting said sulfonyl fluoride polymer with a fluorinated fluid selected from the group consisting of hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoropolyethers for at least 1 minute; and separating said fluorinated fluid from said sulfonyl fluoride polymer.