Copolymerization of fluorinated acrylic monomers and sodium-p-styrene sulfonate

Fluorinated, acrylic vinyl monomers such as; 1H,1H-Heptafluorobutyl acrylate 1 , and 1H,1H-Heptafluorobutyl methacrylate 2 , were copolymerized with sodium-p-styrene sulfonate 3 , via emulsion polymerization. The polymerization reactions were carried out at 70–75°C, for 4.5–5 hours using a water soluble initiator, a nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon soluble chain transfer agent. The level of ion-containing monomer was varied between 0–7 mole percent. The copolymers were obtained in high yield and high molecular weight. They showed novel ionomeric behavior as characterized by FTIR, penetration studies, stress-strain tests and DSC.