The State of Fluoropolymers

Abstract

This overview provides a brief summary of the current state for the fluoropolymer field. It includes fundamental fluorpolymer chemistry, fluorinated coatings, biomedical applications, fluorinated materials in composites, fluorinated elastomers and copolymer synthetic strategies. The above mentioned research areas are an example of this field which is rapidly growing due to the fact that inclusion of fluorine can impart such significant changes to a bulk materials physical properties. This ACS Symposium Series book will highlight the advances in the fluoropolymer field, which will include contributions from the national Fluorine-Containing Symposium series.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Mn–CF3 Complexes

“…Early reports by Ziegler and coworkers of metal-catalyzed alkene polymerization promoted by Et 2 AlCl have evolved 5 decades later to a tour de force of organometallic chemistry with molecular control of polypropylene tacticity, living catalysts for block co-polymer formation, and late metal chain-walking as only three of many highlights [23][24][25]. In contrast, polymerization of fluoroalkenes traditionally utilizes radical processes, either in the gas phase or in aqueous emulsions [26][27][28][29]. As a result, while the properties of fluoropolymers can be tuned by altering reaction conditions or changing the relative amounts of co-monomers, attempts at molecular control have met with little success.…”

Fluorous Comonomer Modulates the Reactivity of Cyclic Ketene Acetal and Degradation of Vinyl Polymers

“…Fluorinated compounds have widespread utility as durable coating materials, , agrochemicals, , fuel cell membranes, therapeutic drugs, ,, and radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET). − In addition, interest in using fluorinated compounds for medical applications has been steadily increasing, ,, with fluorinated polymers emerging as a promising platform for drug delivery for fluorinated drugs and imaging reagents. − Fluorinated polymers possess unique properties such as high chemical resistance, , preference for fluorous phase over both aqueous and organic phases, enhanced cell membrane permeability, , and self-assembly in water. , However, most fluorinated polymers are nondegradable, and the use of nondegradable polymers in vivo may lead to buildup in the body and environment causing undesired side effects in the long term . Therefore, there is a need for fundamental understanding of the synthesis and properties of degradable fluorinated polymers; yet very few studies on the subject exist. ,, …”

“…7−9 In addition, interest in using fluorinated compounds for medical applications has been steadily increasing, 4,6,7 with fluorinated polymers emerging as a promising platform for drug delivery for fluorinated drugs and imaging reagents. 10−14 Fluorinated polymers possess unique properties such as high chemical resistance, 1,2 preference for fluorous phase over both aqueous and organic phases, 15 enhanced cell membrane permeability, 13,16 and selfassembly in water. 17,18 However, most fluorinated polymers are nondegradable, and the use of nondegradable polymers in vivo may lead to buildup in the body and environment causing undesired side effects in the long term.…”

Fluorosilicones and Other Fluoropolymers

“…du Pont de Nemours & Co. Later, in 1950, it was marketed as Teflon ® . 6: Fluorosilicones and Other Fluoropolymers: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications apparel [82]. In 2010, the fluoropolymer industry had revenues of $5.8 billion with use ranging from non-stick cooking surfaces to use in clothing Scheme 6.21 Representative structure of polyimide grafted with siloxane moiety with 6FDA as dianhydride.…”