CHAIN-END FUNCTIONALIZED FLUOROPOLYMERS FOR THE PREPARATION OF FLUOROPOLYMER/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES WITH EXFOLIATED STRUCTURE

摘要

An exfoliated fluoropolymer/clay nanocomposite characterized by a featureless X-ray diffraction pattern is detailed including a reaction product of a clay and a chain-end functionalized fluoropolymer. The chain-end functionalized fluoropolymer has the formula: X - (M)n - Y (I), where M is one or more types of fluoromonomer unit; or a combination of one or more types of fluoromonomer unit and one or more types of hydrocarbon monomer unit. The variables X and Y are each independently H or a functional group capable of binding to the layered silicate clay, where at least one of X and Y is a functional group capable of binding to the layered silicate clay; and where n is an integer in the range of about 50 to 50,000, inclusive.