LINEAR COPOLYMERS OF FLUOROCARBON-HYDROCARBON MONOMERS SYNTHESIZED IN CARBON DIOXIDE

摘要

Linear copolymers of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon monomers. The present invention provides linear copolymers and terpolymers of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon monomers, and particularly the invention provides a linear copolymers, of fluoromonomers, such as tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, or vinylidene fluoride, with hydrocarbon monomers, such as vinyl acetate, acrylic acid ethyl acetate or tertiary butyl acrylate. The copolymers were synthesized by polymerization by a free radical mechanism in supercritical carbon dioxide and they are linear because of synthesis in carbon dioxide. The copolymer composition was controlled by the monomer feed concentration to have between 7 and 71 mol% TFE. Additionally, new and predominantly linear co- and terpolymers were prepared by hydrolysis and trans-esterification of the latter copolymers. Furthermore, neither surfactants nor dispersing agents are required to produce the linear copolymers, but may be used.