Multimodal fluoropolymers and methods of making the same

Abstract

A method for forming a fluoropolymer comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, at least one fluoromonomer, and an initiator; and reacting the at least one fluoromonomer in the reaction mixture to form a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer has a multimodal molecular weight distribution.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluoropolymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution, wherein said fluoropolymer has a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight ratio of from about 2 to about 10.  
     
     
         2 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a fluoroolefin polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluoropolymer is (poly)vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         4 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a copolymer or terpolymer.  
     
     
         5 . A fluoropolymer formed according to a method comprising: 
 providing a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, at least one fluoromonomer, and an initiator; and    reacting said at least one fluoromonomer in said reaction mixture to form a fluoropolymer, wherein said fluoropolymer has a multimodal molecular weight distribution.    
     
     
         6 . An article of manufacture comprising said fluoropolymer as defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . A composition of matter comprising: 
 a mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a fluoropolymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution, wherein said fluoropolymer has a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight ratio of from about 2 to about 10.    
     
     
         8 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein the multimodal molecular weight distribution is bimodal.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein the carbon dioxide is liquid carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein the carbon dioxide is supercritical carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein the fluoropolymer is a fluorolefin polymer.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein the fluoropolymer is (poly)vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a copolymer or terpolymer.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein said fluoropolymer is formed from monomers selected from the group consisting of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A fluoropolymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution, wherein said fluoropolymer has a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight ratio of from about 2 to about 10, and wherein said fluoropolymer is produced by the process comprising: 
 providing a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, at least one fluoromonomer, and an initiator; and    reacting said at least one fluoromonomer in said reaction mixture to form a fluoropolymer, wherein said fluoromonomer is provided at a molarity sufficient that said fluoropolymer has a multimodal molecular weight distribution.    
     
     
         16 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 15 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a fluoroolefin polymer.  
     
     
         17 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 15 , wherein said fluoropolymer is (poly)vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         18 . The fluoropolymer according to  claim 15 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a copolymer or terpolymer.  
     
     
         19 . A composition of matter comprising a mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a fluoropolymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution, wherein said fluoropolymer has a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight ratio of from about 2 to about 10, and wherein said fluoropolymer is produced by the process comprising: 
 providing a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, at least one fluoromonomer, and an initiator; and    reacting said at least one fluoromonomer in said reaction mixture to form a fluoropolymer, wherein said fluoromonomer is provided at a molarity sufficient that said fluoropolymer has a multimodal molecular weight distribution.    
     
     
         20 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein the multimodal molecular weight distribution is bimodal.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein the carbon dioxide is liquid carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein the carbon dioxide is supercritical carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluoropolymer is a fluorolefin polymer.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluoropolymer is (poly)vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein said fluoropolymer is a copolymer or terpolymer.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of matter according to  claim 19 , wherein said fluoropolymer is formed from monomers selected from the group consisting of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.