Perfluorinated carbon-chain copolymers with functional groups and cation exchange membranes based on them: synthesis, structure and properties

The review is devoted to perfluorinated polymers with sulphonic and carboxylic acid groups and to cation exchange membranes based on them. The synthesis is described of copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene with perfluorovinyl ethers containing functional groups by radical copolymerisation in an organic medium and in aqueous emulsions. Special features of the copolymerisation and approaches to obtaining copolymers with set characteristics are discussed. Data are presented on the structure and physicochemical properties of the polymeric films. Attempts to form membranes from the polymers obtained, the means of strengthening them and methods for chemical modification are described. Data are correlated on the influence of structure and polymer composition and the nature of the functional groups on the electrochemical characteristics of membranes. Special features of the functioning of perfluorinated membranes in the process for making chlorine and alkali by the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution are considered.
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