DECOMPOSITION OF POLY(PERFLUORINATED ETHERS) - EFFECT OF END-GROUPS ON MAIN-CHAIN DEGRADATION AND PRODUCT FORMATION

The decomposition of polyperfluorinated ether copolymers containing pe rfluoroethylene oxide, -CF2CF2O-, and perfluoromethylene oxide units, -CF2O-, capped by different end groups, -OCF3, -CH2OH, and -O(O=C)CH3, are investigated. Thus, the polymers are scissioned via an electron b eam, and the subsequent chemistry is investigated. In all cases, the p olymers lose mass, R-CFO on the ends of scissioned chains are produced , and volatile gases such as COF2 are evolved. The G values for polyme r decomposition are 0.2-0.8; for gas evolution are 6-7; and for R-CFO end groups are similar or equal to 1.5. The end group -CH2OH has a sig nificant effect on the chemistry after irradiation. The oligomeric R-C FO groups produced upon irradiation react with the -CH2OH end groups t o produce ester and HF via alcoholysis. The aldehyde -CHO is also prod uced as a result of direct electron beam irradiation.