SYNTHESIS AND USE OF TRANS-1,3,3,3-TETRAFLUOROPROPENE/VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE COPOLYMERS
A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, and methods of making the same. A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such copolymer to the article of manufacture. A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying such a copolymer to a support. A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such a copolymer to an article of manufacture. A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.
1 . A process of synthesizing copolymers comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, comprising reacting trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers in a reaction medium.
2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein said trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers are polymerized by aqueous emulsion polymerization.
3 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of more than 100,000 Daltons.
4 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of more than 400,000 Daltons.
5 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers are additionally reacted with perfluoromethylvinyl ether monomers and wherein the copolymers additionally comprise perfluoromethylvinyl ether units.
6 . A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units.
7 . The copolymer of claim 6 , having a weight average molecular weight of more than 100,000 Daltons.
8 . The copolymer of claim 6 , having a weight average molecular weight of more than 400,000 Daltons.
9 . The copolymer of claim 8 , additionally comprising perfluoromethylvinyl ether units.
10 . The copolymer of claim 6 , having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 .
11 . The copolymer as in one of claim 10 , consisting essentially of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units.
12 . A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of claim 9 to the article of manufacture.
13 . A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of claim 10 to the article of manufacture.
14 . A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying the copolymer of claim 9 to a support.
15 . A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying the copolymer of claim 10 to a support.
16 . A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of claim 9 to the article of manufacture.
17 . A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of claim 10 to the article of manufacture.
18 . A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.