Synthesis and use of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymers

Abstract

A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, and methods of making the same. A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such copolymer to the article of manufacture. A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying such a copolymer to a support. A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such a copolymer to an article of manufacture. A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process of synthesizing copolymers comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, comprising reacting trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers in a reaction medium. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers are polymerized by aqueous emulsion polymerization. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of more than 100,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of more than 400,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene monomers and vinylidene fluoride monomers are additionally reacted with perfluoromethylvinyl ether monomers and wherein the copolymers additionally comprise perfluoromethylvinyl ether units. 
     
     
         6 . A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units. 
     
     
         7 . The copolymer of  claim 6 , having a weight average molecular weight of more than 100,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         8 . The copolymer of  claim 6 , having a weight average molecular weight of more than 400,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         9 . The copolymer of  claim 8 , additionally comprising perfluoromethylvinyl ether units. 
     
     
         10 . The copolymer of  claim 6 , having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 . 
     
     
         11 . The copolymer as in one of  claim 10 , consisting essentially of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units. 
     
     
         12 . A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 9  to the article of manufacture. 
     
     
         13 . A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 10  to the article of manufacture. 
     
     
         14 . A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 9  to a support. 
     
     
         15 . A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m 2 , comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 10  to a support. 
     
     
         16 . A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 9  to the article of manufacture. 
     
     
         17 . A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying the copolymer of  claim 10  to the article of manufacture. 
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.