Cyclic Hydrofluorocarbon Polymerization Medium for Fluorinated Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Producing high molecular weight fluorinated polymers with functional groups is challenging due to low polymerization rates and environmental concerns associated with traditional linear hydrofluorocarbon solvents, which have high global warming potential.
Innovation Solution
Using a C4-10 cyclic hydrofluorocarbon as the primary component in the polymerization medium, which suppresses chain transfer reactions and allows for stable production of high molecular weight fluorinated polymers with functional groups, achieving higher polymerization rates and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If linear hydrofluorocarbon with low GWP is used as polymerization medium, then environmental burden is reduced, but chain transfer reactions are promoted and molecular weight cannot reach sufficient levels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the structural parameter of the hydrofluorocarbon from linear to cyclic configuration. This structural transformation fundamentally alters the chemical behavior of the polymerization medium, suppressing chain transfer reactions while maintaining low GWP properties, thereby achieving both high molecular weight and environmental compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite polymerization system comprising cyclic hydrofluorocarbon as the main component (70-100 mass%) combined with chain hydrofluorocarbon as an additive (0-30 mass%). This composite approach leverages the advantages of both cyclic HFC (low GWP, suppressed chain transfer) and chain HFC (high solubility, fast polymerization) to achieve optimal performance
2Productivity
If linear hydrofluorocarbon is used as polymerization medium, then polymerization rate is high, but molecular weight is insufficient due to chain transfer reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The composite polymerization medium combines cyclic HFC (suppresses chain transfer, enables high molecular weight) with chain HFC (provides high solubility and fast polymerization rate). This synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between polymerization rate and molecular weight by allowing both linear and cyclic structures to work together
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the cyclic-to-chain HFC ratio within specific ranges (cyclic HFC: 70-100 mass%, chain HFC: 0-30 mass%), the invention optimizes the balance between polymerization rate and molecular weight, allowing adjustment of parameters to achieve different performance targets
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymerization method is used, then production process is simple, but high molecular weight fluorinated polymer cannot be stably produced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the polymerization medium composition parameters (using cyclic HFC as main component with specific content ranges) to fundamentally change the reaction characteristics, enabling stable production of high molecular weight polymer while maintaining process simplicity through straightforward compositional specifications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the stable production of high molecular weight fluorinated polymers with functional groups at high polymerization rates while minimizing environmental burdens, resulting in excellent productivity and reduced global warming potential.
Implementation Method 1
it was found that the chain transfer reaction is sufficiently suppressed in polymerization of a fluorinated monomer having a group convertible to a carboxylic acid group or a sulfonic acid group and tetrafluoroethylene, and a high molecular weight fluorinated polymer can be stably obtained, by using as a polymerization medium a C 4-10 cyclic hydrofluorocarbon
Implementation Method 2
when used as a polymerization medium in radical polymerization, promote chain transfer reactions during the polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a method for producing a fluorinated polymer which enables stable production of a fluorinated polymer having a high molecular weight at a high polymerization rate with good productivity and reduced environmental burdens, a method for producing a fluorinated polymer having functional groups, and a method for producing an electrolyte membrane. A method for producing a fluorinated polymer, which comprises polymerizing a monomer mixture containing tetrafluoroethylene and a fluorinated monomer having a group convertible to a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group in a polymerization medium, wherein the polymerization medium contains as the main component a C4-10 cyclic hydrofluorocarbon. Further, a method for producing a fluorinated polymer having functional groups and a method for producing an electrolyte membrane, employing the production method.