Functional Fluoropolymer Copolymers for Adhesive Hydrophilic Binders

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluoropolymers lack functional groups, making them difficult to adhere to substrates, facilitate cross-linking, and provide hydrophilic characteristics, limiting their applications and adhesion performance.

Innovation Solution

Copolymerization of a fluorinated vinylic monomer with a halogenated (meth)acrylic comonomer, forming a fluorinated copolymer with improved adhesion and hydrophilicity, suitable for use in battery electrodes and hydrophilic membranes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If fluorinated vinylic monomer is copolymerized with hydrophilic (meth)acrylic comonomer bearing halogen functionality, then adhesion and hydrophilic characteristics are improved, but polymerization complexity and process difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion performanceVSAvoidcopolymerization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite copolymer structure combining fluorinated vinylic monomer units with hydrophilic (meth)acrylic comonomer units bearing halogen functionality. This composite approach integrates the low surface energy and chemical resistance of fluoropolymers with the adhesion and hydrophilic properties of functional (meth)acrylic groups, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fluoropolymer advantages and improving adhesion performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces functional groups at specific locations within the polymer chain by incorporating (meth)acrylic comonomer units at controlled concentrations (at most 10.0 weight percent as single monomer units between two fluoromonomer units). This local functionalization provides adhesion sites and hydrophilic characteristics without compromising the overall fluoropolymer structure and its advantageous properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional monomer units are added to polymer backbone, then adhesion and functionality are improved, but polymerization control becomes difficult due to aggressive fluorine-containing free radicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional group availabilityVSAvoidpolymerization control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies polymerization parameters including temperature, pressure, and monomer feed ratios to control the aggressive fluorine-containing free radical polymerization. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves controlled incorporation of functional (meth)acrylic comonomer units into the fluoropolymer backbone, balancing functionality introduction with polymerization control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses initiators and potentially chain transfer agents as intermediaries to mediate the polymerization process between fluorinated vinylic monomers and hydrophilic (meth)acrylic comonomers. These intermediaries help control the reactivity of aggressive fluorine-containing free radicals while facilitating the incorporation of functional monomer units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If high content of (meth)acrylic comonomer is used, then adhesion performance is improved, but mechanical properties and fluoropolymer characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion to substrateVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by incorporating (meth)acrylic comonomer units at optimized concentrations (at most 10.0 weight percent as single monomer units between two fluoromonomer units). This partial incorporation provides sufficient adhesion improvement and hydrophilic characteristics while maintaining the mechanical properties and fluoropolymer characteristics that would be compromised by higher comonomer content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enhances adhesion and hydrophilic characteristics of fluoropolymers, allowing for improved binder performance in lithium ion batteries and increased active material loading.

Implementation Method 1

enhances adhesion and hydrophilic characteristics of fluoropolymers, allowing for improved binder performance in lithium ion batteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

Copolymerization of a fluorinated vinylic monomer with a halogenated (meth)acrylic comonomer, forming a fluorinated copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCopolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

enhances adhesion and hydrophilic characteristics of fluoropolymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilicity: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentUS12435174B2Functional fluoropolymers

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 ARKEMA INC

AI summary

The invention relates to novel linear, semi-crystalline, functional fluoropolymers that have been obtained by copolymerizing a fluorinated vinylic monomer and a hydrophilic (meth)acrylic comonomer bearing a halogen functionality.