Ion exchange membranes with fluorinated ionomer blends

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ion exchange membrane and process of making, where the membrane has a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer that have an EW of at least 700 g / mol or an IXR of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or mixtures of differences thereof. The first and second polymers may be sourced from manufacturing or post-consumer waste containing multiple layers of varying polymer structures, and the present ion exchange membranes represent a way to recycle those materials into new membranes without the need for costly separation. The membranes can be used in fuel cells, batteries, water electrolyzers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, filtration applications, catalysis applications, and other applications where ion exchange membranes are useful.

Description

FP0037-W001TITLE ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES WITH FLUORINATED IONOMER BLENDS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 754,968 filed February 6, 2025, the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to ion exchange membranes having a first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer of different composition, and processes for making such membranes. The membranes can be used in fuel cells, batteries, water electrolyzers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, filtration applications, catalysis applications, and other applications where ion exchange membranes are useful.BACKGROUND

[0003] Fluorinated ionomers are used in a number of applications, notably as ion exchange membranes in applications such as fuel cells, water electrolyzers, flow batteries, humidity control devices, and many others. The systems for these applications often include multiple layers of materials, with some including fluorinated ionomers of varying types and others including a number of different materials. Thus, at the end of life of such a system, a recycled ionomer stream can consist of ionomers with variable equivalent weight (EW).SUMMARY

[0004] One approach of reusing end-of-life ionomer streams is to reuse these ionomers and dispersions as mixed ionomer streams. In the case where these mixed ionomer systems provide some synergistic interaction, it is also reasonable to pursue systematic mixing of ionomers in the virgin state. These types of fluorinated ionomer blends can be used in the membrane or dispersion for numerous industrial applications. Based on current data, mixed ionomer systems exhibit a surprising increase in coalescence when compared to standard ionomer films.

[0005] The invention relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where theFP0037-W001first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an equivalent weight (EW) of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

[0006] The invention also relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

[0007] The invention further relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unitFP0037-W001type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

[0008] The invention further relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / , provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

[0009] The invention also relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an IXR of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

[0010] The invention further relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.FP0037-W001DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The need exists to find a way to effectively reuse consumer and manufacturing waste related to fluorinated ionomer membranes and products. Such materials may be multi-layered and contain multiple different fluorinated ionomers within the product. It would be especially beneficial to reuse the fluorinated materials found within these waste products without fully separating the polymers to maximize the amount of material that is able to be repurposed and production efficiency in general. The process and products described herein aim to solve that problem.

[0012] The invention relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

[0013] The invention also relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.FP0037-W001

[0014] The invention further relates to an ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups. The invention further relates to an ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

[0015] The first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer may be any fluorinated ionomer polymer typically found in fluorinated ionomer membranes or in catalyst layers as a binder material. The first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have the same or different repeat units, made from the same or different monomers, as long as the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ in EW by at least 50. Common fluorinated ionomer polymers include perfluorinated carboxylic acids or perfluorinated sulfonic acids, such as those under the brand names Nation™ from The Chemours Company, Aquivion™ from Solvay; Dyneon™ from 3M, or Flemion™ from AGC. The two polymers are present in the membrane as a result of blending them together during the formation of the membrane. As a result, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers are intermixed within the ionomer membrane.

[0016] Generally, the first and / or second fluorinated ionomer polymers may include any ionomer component known in the art suitable for the method described herein. In some embodiments, the fluorinated ionomer polymer is an anion exchange ionomer in which the ionomer bears cationic groups. In some embodiments, the fluorinated ionomer polymer is a cation exchange ionomer in which the ionomer bears anionic groups. Examples of ionomers bearing anionic groups are thoseFP0037-W001bearing sulfonate groups or carboxylate groups. Of particular note are perfluorinated ionomers in which the anionic groups are sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

[0017] In some embodiments, suitable fluorinated ionomer polymers comprising perfluorinated sulfonic acids and / or perfluorinated sulfonate salts, also known as PFSA ionomers, or comprising perfluorinated carboxylic acids and / or perfluorinated carboxylate salts, also known as PFCA ionomers, can be made by hydrolyzing fluorinated ionomer precursor polymers containing -SO2F endgroups to give -SO3M endgroups or by hydrolyzing fluorinated ionomer precursor polymers containing -CO2CH3 endgroups to give -CO2M endgroups, respectively.

[0018] Polymers bearing nonionic groups such as -SO2F or -CO2CH3 may be hydrolyzed with a base such as NaOH or KOH to provide an ionomer with the desired anionic substituents; that is, the anionic substitutents are -SO3M and / or -CO2M where M = H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or NR4 and R = alkyl, aralkyl, or aryl. The -SO3M or -CO2M endgroups may then optionally be treated with mineral acids to form -SO3H or -CO2H endgroups.

[0019] Suitable fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride ionomer precursor polymers may be prepared by polymerization or co-polymerization of at least one vinyl monomer containing at least one fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride functional group and optionally one or more additional non-functionalized vinyl co-monomers under free radical polymerization conditions. Alternatively, hydrolyzed ionomers may be prepared directly by polymerization or co-polymerization of at least one monomer containing at least one fluorinated sulfonate group and optionally one or more additional comonomers under free radical emulsion polymerization conditions. Alternatively, fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride ionomer precursor polymers or their hydrolyzed forms may be prepared by grafting sulfonyl fluoride or sulfonate substituted vinyl monomers onto a fluorinated or partially fluorinated poly(alkylene) or poly(oxyalkylene) backbone. Said monomers may be perfluorinated or at least partially fluorinated.

[0020] In one aspect, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):FP0037-W001wherein b is 0, 1 , or 2; c is an integer from 1 to 8; a is 0, 1 , or 2; d is an integer from 1 to 8; e is an integer from 0 to 8; provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1 ; X is H or F; R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, or a perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Q1and Q2are independently selected from a C1-C6 perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; and M is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl. In one aspect, both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2). Specific ion exchange polymer backbones may include side chains having one or more units represented by the following formulae:-[O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-(CF2)d-SO3M)]- and -[O-(CF2)d-SO3M)]-wherein d is 1-8, and M is H or an alkali metal.

[0021] In some embodiments, the ionomer backbones may include side chains having one or more units represented by the following formulae:-[O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-SO3H]-[O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-SO3Na]-[O-CF2CF2-SO3H]-[O-CF2CF2-SO3Na]-[O-CF2CF2CF2CF2-SO3H]-[O-CF2CF2CF2CF2-SO3Na]FP0037-W001<wherein Q1is a perfluoroalkylene group optionally having an etheric oxygen atom, Q2is a single bond or a perfluoroalkylene group optionally having an etheric oxygen atom, R1is a perfluoroalkyl group optionally having an etheric oxygen atom, X1is an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, such that when X1is an oxygen atom, a is 0, when X1is a nitrogen atom, a is 1 , and when X1is a carbon atom, a is 2, Y is a fluorine atom or a monovalent perfluoro organic group, r is 0 or 1 , and M is an alkali metal; orwherein R2is a single bond or a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene group which may have an etheric oxygen atom, and R3is a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene group, m is 0 or 1 ; n is 1, and M is an alkali metal. In some embodiments, the ion exchange polymer backbone, the main chain of a polymer, may include units represented by the following formulae:wherein m is 0,1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; Rfi is a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene; Rf2 is a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene group; and M is a cation, which may be a proton, alkali metal or quaternary ammonium; orFP0037-W001wherein m is 0,1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; Rfi is a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene group; Fte is a Rfi is a C1-6 linear perfluoroalkylene group; and M is a cation, which may be a proton, alkali metal or quaternary ammonium. Alkali metals and quaternary ammonium suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to for example, K+, Na+and Li+, and tetramethyl ammonium, respectively.

[0022] In one aspect, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers has a comonomer. In another aspect, both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers. In some embodiments, the fluorinated ionomer polymer is a copolymer made from one or more nonfunctionalized vinyl comonomers. In one aspect, the fluorinated ionomer polymer is a copolymer made from one or more partially fluorinated or perfluorinated vinyl comonomers. Suitable nonfunctionalized vinyl co-monomers include, but are not limited to, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE, CF2=CF2), hexafluoropropylene (CF3CF=CF2), vinyl fluoride (CH2=CHF), vinylidene fluoride (CH2=CF2), trifluoroethylene (CHF=CF2), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CCIF=CF2), perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) (e.g., perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), CF3OCF=CF2; perfluoro(ethyl vinyl ether), C2F5OCF=CF2; and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), C3F?OCF=CF2) and mixtures thereof. For example, it may be a copolymer of a sulfonyl fluoride-containing monomer with TFE, resulting in a repeat unit -[CF2-CF2]-, or with other comonomers. Other nonfunctionalized vinyl co-monomers include cyclic monomers, including but are not limited to, 2-difluoromethylene-4,4,5-trifluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 2-difluoromethylene-4,5-difluoro-4,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1 ,3-dioxole, 4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1 ,3-dioxole, 2,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-1 ,3-dioxole, 2,4,5-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1 ,3-dioxole, 2,4,5-trifluoro-2-(pentafluoroethyl)-1 ,3-dioxole, 2,2,4-trifluoro-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1 ,3-dioxole, 4-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1 ,3-dioxole, 2, 2, 3, 3,5,6-hexafluoro-2,3-dihydro-1 ,4-dioxin, 2,2,3,5,6-pentafluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-FP0037-W001(trifluoromethy l)-1 ,4-dioxi n , and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-2,3-dihydro-2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,4-dioxin. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers is a copolymer of a sulfonate- or sulfonic acid-containing monomer with TFE, resulting in a repeat unit -[CF2-CF2]-, in the backbone of the copolymer.

[0023] In some embodiments, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers includes a highly fluorinated, most preferably perfluorinated, carbon backbone with a side chain represented by the formula -(O-CF2CFR4)a-O-(CF2)dSO3M, where R4is independently selected from F, Cl, ora perfluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a = 0, 1 or 2; d is an integer from 2 to 6; and M is M is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl. These ionomer precursor polymers are, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,282,875, in U.S. Patent No. 4,358,545, in U.S. Patent No. 4,940,525, or in U.S. Patent No. 7,348,088.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers includes a perfluorocarbon backbone and a side chain represented by the formula -O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2SO3M, where M is M is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl. Fluorinated ionomers containing sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups of this type are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,282,875 and may be made by copolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and the perfluorinated vinyl ether CF2=CF-O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2SO2F, perfluoro(3,6-dioxa-4 methyl-7-octenesulfonyl fluoride) (PSEPVE, also called long side-chain or LSC), followed by conversion to sulfonate groups by hydrolysis of the sulfonyl fluoride groups and conversion to the proton or salt form if desired for the particular application.Examples of such products include those available under the trade name of Nation™ (The Chemours Company FC, LLC, Wilmington, DE).

[0025] In some embodiments, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers includes a perfluorocarbon backbone and a side chain represented by the formula -O-CF2CF2SO3M, where M is M is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl. Fluorinated ionomers containing sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups of this typeFP0037-W001are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,358,545 and U.S. Patent No. 4,940,525. This polymer may be made by copolymerization of TFE and the perfluorinated vinyl ether CF2=CF-O-CF2CF2SO2F, perfluoro(3 oxa-4-pentenesulfonyl fluoride) (PFSVE, also called short side-chain or SSC), followed by hydrolysis and conversion to the proton or salt form if desired for the particular application.

[0026] In some embodiments, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers includes a perfluorocarbon backbone and a side chain represented by the formula -O-CF2CF2CF2CF2SO3M. Fluorinated ionomers containing sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups of this type are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,348,088. This polymer may be made by copolymerization of TFE and the perfluorinated vinyl ether CF2=CF-O-CF2CF2CF2CF2SC>2F, perfluoro(5-oxa-6-heptenesulfonyl fluoride), followed by hydrolysis and conversion to the proton or salt form if desired for the particular application.

[0027] In some embodiments, one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers has an ion exchange ratio of less than about 13.2. As used herein, ion exchange ratio (IXR) refers to the number of carbon atoms in the polymer backbone in relation to the number of sulfonyl fluoride groups. In some embodiments, the IXR of a fluorinated ionomer polymer can be related to the equivalent weight (EW) of the polymer. For example, fora copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with a trifluorovinyl-substituted sulfonyl fluoride monomer, the equivalent is given by the equation EW = (50 x IXR) + MWsc -19, where MWsc is the molecular weight of the side chain of the fluorinated sulfonate or sulfonic acid polymer. As used herein, (EW) refers to the weight of the fluorinated ionomer polymer in proton form required to neutralize one equivalent of NaOH.

[0028] In one aspect, where the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has one functional group, it has an IXR less than about 13.2; in another aspect, less than about 12.7; in another aspect, less than about 12.1 ; and in another aspect, less than about 11.7; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has an IXR of at least 7.1; in another aspect, at least 7.9; in another aspect, at least 8.1; in another aspect, at least 9.1 ; and in another aspect, at least 10.1; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the overall ion exchange membrane has an IXR less than about 13.2; inFP0037-W001another aspect, less than about 12.7; in another aspect, less than about 12.1; and in another aspect, less than about 11.7; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the overall ion exchange membrane has an IXR of at least 8.1; in another aspect, at least 8.6; in another aspect, at least 9.1 ; and in another aspect, at least 10.1; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.

[0029] In one aspect, where the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in a repeat unit, it has an IXR corresponding to the IXR of the preceding paragraph divided by the number of functional groups of the repeat unit. In one aspect, where the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has two functional groups, it has an IXR less than about 6.6; in another aspect, less than about 6.35; in another aspect, less than about 6.05; and in another aspect, less than about 5.85; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has an IXR of at least 3.55; in another aspect, at least 4.05; in another aspect, at least 4.55; and in another aspect, at least 5.05; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, where overall ion exchange membrane has two functional groups in a repeat unit, it has an IXR less than about 6.6; in another aspect, less than about 6.35; in another aspect, less than about 6.05; and in another aspect, less than about 5.85; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the overall ion exchange membrane has an IXR of at least 3.55; in another aspect, at least 4.05; in another aspect, at least 4.55; and in another aspect, at least 5.05; or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has an equivalent weight (EW) less than about 1100 g / mol; alternatively, less than about 1000 g / mol; alternatively, less than about 980 g / mol; alternatively less than about 950 g / mol; alternatively less than about 930 g / mol, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In one aspect, the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has an EW of at least about 675 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 700 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 725 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 750 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 775 g / mol, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In some embodiments, the overall ion exchange membrane has an equivalent weight (EW) less than about 1100 g / mol; alternatively, less than about 1000 g / mol; alternatively less than about 980 g / mol; alternatively less than about 950 g / mol; alternatively less than about 930 g / mol, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. In oneFP0037-W001aspect, the overall ion exchange membrane has an EW of at least about 675 g / mol; alternatively, an EW of at least about 700 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 725 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 750 g / mol; alternatively, at least about 775 g / mol, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. EWwas determined by titration of cast films with base, such as NaOH solution, to determine the total acid capacity of the ionomer.

[0031] The IXR for a fluorinated polymer with the side chain -O-CF2-CF(CF3)-O-CF2-CF2-SO3H, i.e., produced from a copolymer of TFE and PSEPVE, can be related to EW using the following formula: 50 IXR + 344 = EW.

[0032] The IXR for a fluorinated polymer with the side chain -O-CF2CF2SO3H, i.e., produced from a copolymer of TFE and PFSVE, can be related to equivalent weight using the following formula: 50 IXR + 178 = EW.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers may independently further include one or more functional groups to improve ionic conductivity, selectivity, water uptake, chemical stability, and / or mechanical properties. In some embodiments, the ion exchange polymer is a cationic exchange polymer comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of sulfonate, phosphonate, and carboxylate and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0034] The first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers may be sourced from new or recycled materials. One aspect of the present ion exchange membranes is that they may be formed from ionomers recovered from recycled materials, including manufacturing waste or post-consumer waste. Membranes sourced from manufacturing waste have not been used in an end-use application. Post-consumer waste materials represent membranes that have been used and previously subjected to harsh conditions, including high temperature, chlorine, caustic, sodium hypochlorite, peroxides, strong oxidizing conditions. These mechanical waste or post-consumer waste materials may contain layers of different polymers. It would be advantageous to reuse the different polymers in the same membrane material without needing to separate them first. Therefore, in some aspects, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers are present in a recycled feedstock, which is recovered prior to the blending step in the present process.FP0037-W001

[0035] The membranes of the present invention have both a first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer may differ in EW. For example, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an EW difference of at least 50 g / mol. In one aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an EW difference of at least 70 g / mol; in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an EW difference of at least 100 g / mol; in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an EW difference of at least 150 g / mol; and in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an EW difference of at least 200 g / mol.

[0036] The membranes of the present invention have both a first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymer may differ in IXR. For example, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an IXR difference of at least 1.0. In one aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an IXR difference of at least 1.5; in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an IXR difference of at least 2.0; in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an IXR difference of at least 2.5; and in another aspect, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have an IXR difference of at least 3.0.

[0037] In some aspects, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have a difference in polymer structure, such as a difference in repeat unit structure. By different repeat unit structure, it is meant that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have a different fluorinated ionomer repeat unit or a different comonomer composition. In one aspect, both may comprise repeat units from Formula (1 ) or Formula (2), with said repeat units of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer being different from the repeat units of the second fluorinated ionomer polymer. For example, the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may both comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2), but they may have different values for a, b, c, d, or e. In another aspect, one may comprise repeat units from Formula (1 ) or Formula (2), while the other does not. In another aspect, they may have different comonomer repeat units, such as a different comonomer structure. In another aspect, first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may have similar structure, but they may have different ionomer units; for example, one may be aFP0037-W001sulfonic acid or sulfonate end group on the ionomer repeat units, and the other may have carboxylic acid or carboxylate end groups on the ionomer repeat units. Multiple structural differences may also be present in any number of combinations.

[0038] The ionomer membrane may also contain more than two fluorinated ionomer polymers. Further fluorinated ionomer polymers to be blended with the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers may be of the same types of polymers described above. Because the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers are intended to be the main components of the ionomer membrane composition, further fluorinated ionomer polymers may be present in an amount of about 0-20% by weight; in another aspect, about 0-10% by weight; and in a third aspect, about 0-5% by weight. In one aspect, further fluorinated ionomer polymers are present in an amount of about 0.1-20% by weight; in another aspect, about 0.1-10% by weight; and in a third aspect, about 0.1-5% by weight.

[0039] The invention further relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

[0040] The invention also relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an IXR of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

[0041] The invention further relates to a process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and secondFP0037-W001fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; and provided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

[0042] The first and second ionomer polymers may be blended by any means capable of forming a homogeneous mixture of the two polymers. For example, the two polymers may be in the form of separate fluorinated ionomer dispersions, which are mixed by mechanical apparatus to form a homogeneous blend. In another example, the two polymers may start in the form of molten sulfonyl fluoride polymers or other ionomer precursor, which are blended by mechanical apparatus, formed into a film, and later converted into sulfonic acid or sulfonate polymers to form an ionomer membrane. It is important that the mixing be thorough enough to form an ion exchange membrane having the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers homogeneously blended throughout the membrane structure.

[0043] The dispersions of the present application comprise a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer. The solvent system may comprise any one or more solvents capable of forming a stable dispersion with the fluorinated ionomers. For example, the solvent system may comprise water or a mixture of water with an organic solvent. In one aspect, the solvent system is selected from water mixed with an organic solvent in an amount of about 70-99% by weight water and about 1-30% by weight organic solvent; in another aspect, about 75-99% by weight water and about 1-25% by weight organic solvent; in another aspect, about 80-99% by weight water and about 1-20% by weight organic solvent; and in another aspect, about 85-99% by weight water and about 1 -15% by weight organic solvent. The fluorinated ionomer polymers may start in liquid form, such as a viscous liquid form, and may have some water and / or organic solvent already present. In this case, the solvent system may be adjusted such that the total liquid present in the mixture contains the above-mentioned amounts of water and / or organic solvent.FP0037-W001

[0044] The organic solvent may be any solvent capable of at least partially dissolving one or more fluorinated ionomer polymers. The organic solvent may also be a mixture of organic solvents. For example, the organic solvent may be selected from alcohols including mono-ols and polyols. In one aspect, the organic solvent may be selected from Ci-Cs linear or branched alcohols, including but not limited to, methanol, ethanol, propanols including n-propanol or isopropanol, butanols including but not limited to n-butanol, pentanols including but not limited to n-pentanol, hexanols including but not limited to n-hexanol, glycerin, glycols including but not limited to ethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the organic solvent is selected from C1-C4 linear or branched alcohols.

[0045] The ion exchange membrane of the present application may be produced by any means capable of forming a working membrane. For example, the ion exchange membranes are formed by casting a dispersion of blended ion exchange polymer. An ion exchange dispersion may be cast onto a substrate, dried, and annealed to form a dry membrane before peeling the dry membrane from the substrate. A measure of robustness of the ion exchange membrane may be demonstrated by the coalescence as measured by mass retention after immersion in a solvent system. For example, the ion exchange membrane or ionomer membrane may have a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

[0046] The fluorinated ionomer polymer content of the dispersion may range from about 5-40% by weight; alternatively about 10-35 % by weight; alternatively about 15-30 % by weight, all based on the total weight of the ionomer dispersion. The ion exchange membrane or ionomer dispersion may also contain optional additives, including but not limited to reinforcement materials, fillers, surfactants, dispersing aids, or other materials. In one aspect, the ion exchange membrane does not contain catalyst material, such as a metal. The ion exchange membranes are intended to operate as the membrane layer in an electrolytic system, rather than as a catalyst layer.

[0047] In one aspect, the ionomer membrane does comprise a small amount of precious metal catalyst, for example, to function as a gas recombination additive. In one aspect, the ionomer membrane or ionomer dispersion comprises 0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at least 0.01% by weight oneFP0037-W001or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at least 0.1 % by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; and in another aspect, at least 0.3% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst, all based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane or based on the total solids weight of the ionomer dispersion. In one aspect, the ionomer membrane or ionomer dispersion comprises at most 10.0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at most 8.0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at most 5.0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at most 3.0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; in another aspect, at most 1.5% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; and in another aspect, at most 1.0% by weight one or more precious metal catalyst; all based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane or based on the total solids weight of the ionomer dispersion. The areal density of one or more precious metal catalysts in the ionomer membrane may be at least 10 pg / cm2; in another aspect, at least 20 pg / cm2; and in another aspect, at least 30 pg / cm2, all based on the total area of the ionomer membrane. The areal density of one or more precious metal catalysts in the ionomer membrane may be at most 100 pg / cm2; in another aspect, at most 90 pg / cm2; and in another aspect, at most 75 pg / cm2, all based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.

[0048] In one embodiment, a reinforcement layer is embedded in the ion exchange membrane. In this case, the reinforcement layer may be, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymers, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), or liquid crystal polymers (LCP). The reinforcement layer may be in the form of a porous support layer, such as a woven fabric, stretched or expanded film, or web. The term “polytetrafluoroethylene” refers to the chemical makeup of the layer and can include woven PTFE, stretched PTFE or expanded PTFE (ePTFE), nonwoven PTFE, etc. When present, the reinforcement layer may compose about 2-29.99% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the ion exchange membrane; alternatively, about 5-24.90% by weight; alternatively, about 10-19.90% by weight; or any range of % by weight within the cited ranges. The reinforcement layer may have a thickness of about 1-100 pm, as measured by contact micrometer; alternatively, about 2-75 pm; alternatively, about 3-60 pm; or any range of thicknesses within the cited ranges.FP0037-W001

[0049] When reinforcement layers are used, the reinforcement material may be coated, immersed, or otherwise embedded into the ion exchange dispersion before applying the product onto a substrate, drying the product, annealing the product, and peeling the product from the substrate to form a dried reinforced membrane. Other methods of coating the reinforcement layer include but are not limited to brushing, spraying, notch bar coating, fluid die coating, rod coating, slot-fed knife coating, three-roll coating, or decal transfer.

[0050] The ionomer membranes themselves may comprise one or more layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers, optionally comprising a reinforcement material. In one aspect, the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material. In another aspect, the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers. The multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers may comprise the same blend of fluorinated ionomer polymers, or they may comprise different blend of fluorinated ionomer polymers. In another aspect, one or more layers within the ionomer membrane may comprise a single fluorinated ionomer polymer along with one or more layers comprising a blend of a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer. In one aspect, the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

[0051] The ionomer membranes of the present description may be used in membrane assemblies, having multiple layers of functional materials. For example, the ionomer membrane may be used in an electrolytic cell having a cathode component and an anode component, where the ionomer membrane separates the cathode component and the anode component. It may be formed by contacting the ionomer membrane with an anode component and a cathode component, such that the ionomer membrane separates the anode component and cathode component.

[0052] The ionomer membrane may be used to form any number of products, including but not limited to, stacks, fuel cells, fuel cell stacks, batteries, redox flow batteries, chlor-alkali cells, electrolytic cells, electrolyzers, water electrolyzers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, products used in ion exchange applications, products used in filtration applications, products used in deacidification applications, productsFP0037-W001used in catalysis applications, and combinations thereof. For example, in a fuel cell, a membrane assembly or membrane electrode assembly (MEA), may comprise a cathode catalyst layer (CCL) on one side of the ion exchange membrane and an anode catalyst layer (ACL) on another side of the ion exchange membrane. The membrane assembly may contain multiple layers of the same material, and it may contain additional layers of functional materials, such as gas diffusion layers or bipolar plates.EXAMPLESCoalescence (%)

[0053] Coalescence indicates the level of entanglement of the ionomer chains and the degree to which the ionomers will readily disperse. The films were cut into samples measuring 1 inch x 1 inch. The samples and filters were dried under vacuum for 1 hour at 100 °C and then subjected to 50% relative humidity at 23 °C for at least 1 hour. The samples were weighed and immersed in an aqueous 10% isopropanol solution at 85-90 °C for 2 hours. The samples were filtered and washed with water. The samples and filters were dried under vacuum for 1 hour at 100 °C and then subjected to 50% relative humidity for at least 1 hour. The weight of the final samples and filters were compared with their weights before immersion. Results represent an average of three measurements.Final massCoalescence (%) = - - ; - X 100Initial massEW (q / mol)

[0054] Pieces measuring 1.75 inches were punched out of a membrane and placed into a 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask. The samples were soaked in 50-75 mL of 4M HCI for 10 minutes. The HCI was poured off, and another 50-75 mL of 4M HCI was added to soak for 10 minutes. The HCI was again poured off. Next, the samples were soaked in 50 mL of 2 N NaCI for 10 minutes. A blank composed of 50 mL of 2 N NaCI and 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution was first titrated with 0.035 N NaOH solution using a 736 GP Titrino to the endpoint. The samples were then swirled with 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution and titrated with 0.035 N NaOH solution using a 736 GP Titrino to show a light pink color for aFP0037-W001minimum of 30 seconds. The volume used was recorded and used to calculate Acid Capacity according to the equations below. Results represent an average of three measurements.1000- : - —;-dry weight in g „„ . , VNa0Hin L X [NaOH] in N229 / mo11000EW (g / mol) = - — - —Acid Capacity in meq / g

[0055] In the Tables below, overall EW of the blended polymers is shown as both a calculated number “Overall Calc. EW’ and as a measured value “Overall Measured EW”. Overall Measured EW was determined by the test method above. Overall Calculated EW was calculated using the starting EW of each individual polymer and averaging the EW based on the known percentage of each individual polymer used in the blend.Comparative Examples A-C

[0056] The ionomers shown in Table 1 were cast from dispersion into a film. All ionomers were copolymers of CF2=CF2 with CF2=CF-O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2SO3H. A PET film was secured onto a clean glass plate, and the glass plate was placed onto a draw-down instrument. The blended dispersion was then poured onto the PET film, and a casting knife set to a thickness of 50 pm was used to create the film. The glass plate with wet membrane was dried in an oven at 25 °C and annealed in an oven at 175-180 °C. The resulting films were tested according to the Test Methods above.Examples 1-5

[0057] Two ionomers were blended to form the overall EW according to T able 1. All ionomers were copolymers of CF2=CF2 with CF2=CF-O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2SO3H. The ionomers were blended by mixing ionomer dispersions having different EW in amounts to achieve the listed overall EW. A PET film was secured onto a clean glass plate, and the glass plate was placed onto a draw-down instrument. The blended dispersion was then poured onto the PET film, and a casting knife set to a thickness of 50 pm was used to create the film. The glass plateFP0037-W001with wet membrane was dried in an oven at 25 °C and annealed in an oven at 175-180 °C. The resulting films were tested according to the Test Methods above.TABLE 1. COMPOSITION AND COALESCENCEExample 6

[0058] Example 1 was repeated, except the 720 EW ionomer used was Aquivion® D72-25BS (available at Fuel Cell Store, Bryan, TX, US), a dispersion of a copolymer from monomers CF2=CF2 and CF2=CF-O-CF2CF2-SO3H. The resulting films were tested according to the Test Methods above.TABLE 2. COMPOSITION AND COALESCENCE

Claims

FP0037-W001CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

2. The ionomer membrane of claim 1 , where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

3. The ionomer membrane of claim 1 , where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1 , or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1 , or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andFP0037-W001M is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

4. The ionomer membrane of claim 3, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

5. The ionomer membrane of claim 4, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

6. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-5, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

7. The ionomer membrane of claim 5, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

8. The ionomer membrane of claim 5, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

9. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-8, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in EW of at least 70 g / mol.

10. The ionomer membrane of claims 1 -9, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

11. The ionomer membrane of claims 1 -10, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

12. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-11, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 7.1 to about 13.2.

13. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-12, where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.FP0037-W00114. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-12, where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

15. The ionomer membrane of claim 14, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.

16. The ionomer membrane of claim 14, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

17. The ionomer membrane of claims 1 -16 comprising 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane.

18. The ionomer membrane of claims 1-16 comprising a precious metal catalyst in an amount of 0 to about 100 pg / cm2, based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.

19. A process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol,provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

20. The process of claim 19, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

21. The process of claim 19-20, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):FP0037-W001whereinb is 0, 1 , or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1, or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a C-i-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

22. The process of claim 21 , where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

23. The process of claim 21 , where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

24. The process of claim 19-23, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

25. The process of claim 24, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

26. The process of claim 24, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.FP0037-W00127. The process of claims 19-26, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in EW of at least 70 g / mol.

28. The process of claims 19-27, further comprising the step of recovering at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomers from manufacturing or post-consumer waste prior to the blending step.

29. The process of claim 28, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomers are recovered from manufacturing or consumer waste prior to the blending step.

30. The process of claims 19-29, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

31. The process of claims 19-30, where the ionomer membrane has an overall ion exchange ratio of about 7.1 to about 13.2.

32. The process of claims 19-31 , where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.

33. The process of claims 19-31 , where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

34. The process of claim 33, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.

35. The process of claim 33, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

36. The process of claims 19-35, where the ionomer membrane comprises 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane.

37. The process of claims 19-35, where the ionomer membrane comprises a precious metal catalyst in an amount of 0 to about 100 pg / cm2, based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.FP0037-W00138. The process of claims 19-37, where the ionomer membrane is formed by casting an aqueous blend of the first and second fluorinated ionomers.

39. A cell comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 1-18, a cathode component, and an anode component, where the ionomer membrane separates the cathode component and the anode component.

40. A product comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 1 -18, where the product is selected from the group consisting of stacks, fuel cells, fuel cell stacks, batteries, redox flow batteries, chlor-alkali cells, electrolytic cells, electrolyzers, water electrolyzers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, products used in ion exchange applications, products used in filtration applications, products used in deacidification applications, products used in catalysis applications, and combinations thereof.

41. An ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9, provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

42. The ionomer membrane of claim 40, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

43. The ionomer membrane of claim 42, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;FP0037-W001a is 0, 1 , or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

44. The ionomer membrane of claim 43, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

45. The ionomer membrane of claim 44, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

46. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-45, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

47. The ionomer membrane of claim 46, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

48. The ionomer membrane of claim 46, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

49. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-48, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.FP0037-W00150. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-49, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

51. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-50, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

52. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-51, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 8.1 to about 13.2.

53. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-52, where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.

54. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-52, where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

55. The ionomer membrane of claim 54, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.

56. The ionomer membrane of claim 54, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

57. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-56 comprising 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane.

58. The ionomer membrane of claims 41-56, where the ionomer membrane comprises a precious metal catalyst in an amount of 0 to about 100 pg / cm2, based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.

59. A process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an IXR of at least 7.9,FP0037-W001provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

60. The process of claim 59, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

61. The process of claim 59-60, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1 , or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

62. The process of claim 61 , where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).FP0037-W00163. The process of claim 62, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

64. The process of claims 59-63, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

65. The process of claim 64, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

66. The process of claim 64, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

67. The process of claims 59-66, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.

68. The process of claims 59-67, further comprising the step of recovering at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomers from manufacturing or post-consumer waste prior to the blending step.

69. The process of claim 68, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomers are recovered from manufacturing or consumer waste prior to the blending step.

70. The process of claims 59-69, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

71. The process of claims 59-70, where the ionomer membrane has an overall ion exchange ratio of about 8.1 to about 13.2.

72. The process of claims 59-71 , where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.

73. The process of claims 59-71 , where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

74. The process of claim 73, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.FP0037-W00175. The process of claim 73, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

76. The process of claims 59-75, where the ionomer membrane comprises 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst.

77. The process of claims 59-75, where the ionomer membrane comprises a precious metal catalyst in an amount of 0 to about 100 pg / cm2, based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.

78. The process of claims 59-77, where the ionomer membrane is formed by casting an aqueous blend of the first and second fluorinated ionomers.

79. A cell comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 41-58, a cathode component, and an anode component, where the ionomer membrane separates the cathode component and the anode component.

80. A product comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 41-58, where the product is selected from the group consisting of stacks, fuel cells, fuel cell stacks, batteries, redox flow batteries, chlor-alkali cells, electrolytic cells, electrolyzers, water electrolyzers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, products used in ion exchange applications, products used in filtration applications, products used in deacidification applications, products used in catalysis applications, and combinations thereof.

81. An ionomer membrane comprising a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer,where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; andprovided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.FP0037-W00182. The ionomer membrane of claim 81 , where both the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

83. The ionomer membrane of claim 81 , where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1, or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

84. The ionomer membrane of claim 83, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

85. The ionomer membrane of claim 84, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.FP0037-W00186. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-85, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

87. The ionomer membrane of claim 86, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

88. The ionomer membrane of claim 86, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

89. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-88, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.

90. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-89, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

91. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-90, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

92. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-91, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 3.55 to about 13.2.

93. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-92, where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.

94. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-92, where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

95. The ionomer membrane of claim 94, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.

96. The ionomer membrane of claim 94, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units withFP0037-W001sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

97. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-96 comprising 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the ionomer membrane.

98. The ionomer membrane of claims 81-96, where the ionomer membrane comprises a precious metal catalyst in an amount of 0 to about 100 pg / cm2, based on the total area of the ionomer membrane.

99. A process of forming an ionomer membrane comprising a) blending a first fluorinated ionomer polymer and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer and b) forming an ionomer membrane from the blended first and second fluorinated ionomer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer,where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; andprovided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

100. The process of claim 99, where both the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

101. The process of claims 99-100, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinFP0037-W001b is 0, 1 , or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1, or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

102. The process of claim 101 , where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

103. The process of claim 102, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

104. The process of claim 99-103, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

105. The process of claim 104, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

106. The process of claim 104, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

107. The process of claims 99-106, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.

108. The process of claims 99-107, further comprising the step of recovering at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomers from manufacturing or postconsumer waste prior to the blending step.FP0037-W001109. The process of claim 108, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomers are recovered from manufacturing or consumer waste prior to the blending step.

110. The process of claims 99-109, where the ionomer membrane has a coalescence of at least 90%, as measured by mass retention after immersion in 10% aqueous isopropanol at 85-90 °C for 2 hours.

111. The process of claims 99-110, where the ionomer membrane has an overall ion exchange ratio of about 3.55 to about 13.2.

112. The process of claims 99-111, where the ionomer membrane is composed of a single layer of fluorinated ionomer polymers and optionally comprises a reinforcement material.

113. The process of claims 99-111 , where the ionomer membrane comprises multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers.

114. The process of claim 113, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise the same fluorinated ionomer polymers.

115. The process of claim 113, where the multiple layers of fluorinated ionomer polymers each comprise perfluorinated ionomers having repeat units with sulfonate groups or a blend of perfluorinated ionomers having sulfonate groups with perfluorinated ionomers having carboxylate groups.

116. The process of claims 99-115, where the ionomer membrane comprises 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst.

117. The process of claims 99-115, where the ionomer membrane is formed by casting an aqueous blend of the first and second fluorinated ionomers.

118. The process of claims 99-117, where the ionomer membrane is formed by casting an aqueous blend of the first and second fluorinated ionomers.

119. A cell comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 81-98, a cathode component, and an anode component, where the ionomer membrane separates the cathode component and the anode component.FP0037-W001120. A product comprising the ionomer membrane of claims 81-98, where the product is selected from the group consisting of stacks, fuel cells, fuel cell stacks, batteries, redox flow batteries, chlor-alkali cells, electrolytic cells, electrolyzers, water electrolyzers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, products used in ion exchange applications, products used in filtration applications, products used in deacidification applications, products used in catalysis applications, and combinations thereof.

121. An ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an EW of at least 675 g / mol,provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an EW of at least 50 g / mol, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an EW of at least 50 g / mol and by repeat unit type.

122. The ionomer dispersion of claim 121, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

123. The ionomer dispersion of claim 121, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1 , or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;FP0037-W001R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

124. The ionomer dispersion of claim 123, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

125. The ionomer dispersion of claim 124, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

126. The ionomer dispersion of claims 121-125, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

127. The ionomer dispersion of claim 125, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

128. The ionomer dispersion of claim 125, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

129. The ionomer dispersion of claims 121-128, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in EW of at least 70 g / mol.

130. The ionomer dispersion of claims 121-129, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

132. The ionomer dispersion of claims 121-130, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 7.1 to about 13.2.FP0037-W001133. The ionomer dispersion of claims 121-132 comprising O to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the solids in the ionomer dispersion.

134. An ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer, where the first fluorinated ionomer polymer and second fluorinated ionomer polymer have an ion exchange ratio (IXR) of at least 7.9,provided that the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type.

135. The ionomer dispersion of claim 134, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

136. The ionomer dispersion of claim 135, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1, or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;FP0037-W001Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

137. The ionomer dispersion of claim 136, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

138. The ionomer dispersion of claim 136, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

139. The ionomer dispersion of claims 134-138, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

140. The ionomer dispersion of claim 139, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.141 . The ionomer dispersion of claim 139, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

142. The ionomer dispersion of claims 134-141, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.

143. The ionomer dispersion of claims 134-142, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

144. The ionomer dispersion of claims 134-143, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 8.1 to about 13.2.

145. The ionomer dispersion of claims 134-144 comprising 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of solids in the ionomer dispersion.FP0037-W001146. An ionomer dispersion comprising a solvent system, a first fluorinated ionomer polymer, and a second fluorinated ionomer polymer,where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers differ by an IXR of at least 1.0, differ by repeat unit type, or differ by both an IXR of at least 1.0 and by repeat unit type; andprovided at least one of the first fluorinated ionomer polymer or second fluorinated ionomer polymer has more than one functional group in the ionomeric repeat unit, where the more than one functional group is selected from sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

147. The ionomer dispersion of claim 146, where both the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise a perfluorinated ionomer having repeat units with sulfonate groups, carboxylate groups, or phosphonate groups.

148. The ionomer dispersion of claim 146, where one or both of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymer comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2):whereinb is 0, 1, or 2;c is an integer from 1 to 8;a is 0, 1, or 2;d is an integer from 1 to 8;e is an integer from 0 to 8;provided that, in Formula (2), a + b + e is at least 1;X is H or F;R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5are independently selected from H, F, Cl, ora perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;FP0037-W001Q1and Q2are independently selected from a Ci-Ce perfluorinated alkyl group optionally having one or two etheric oxygen atoms; andM is H, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca or N(R6)(R7)(R8)(R9) where R6, R7, R8, and R9are independently H, CH3 or C2-C8 alkyl or aryl.

149. The ionomer dispersion of claim 148, where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2).

150. The ionomer dispersion of claim 148, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers comprise repeat units from Formula (1) or Formula (2) that are different.

151. The ionomer dispersion of claims 146-150, where one or both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers.

152. The ionomer dispersion of claim 151 , where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has the same comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

153. The ionomer dispersion of claim 151 , where both the first and second fluorinated ionomer polymers have comonomers, and the first fluorinated ionomer polymer has a different comonomer when compared with the second fluorinated ionomer polymer.

154. The ionomer dispersion of claims 146-153, where the first and second fluorinated ionomer have a difference in IXR of at least 1.5.

155. The ionomer dispersion of claims 146-154, where at least one of the first or second fluorinated ionomer polymers are recycled from manufacturing or postconsumer waste.

156. The ionomer dispersion of claims 146-155, having an overall ion exchange ratio of about 3.55 to about 13.2.

157. The ionomer dispersion of claims 146-156 comprising 0 to about 10% by weight of a precious metal catalyst, based on the total weight of the solids in the ionomer dispersion.

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