The synthesis of perfluorinated vinyl monomers and the fabrication of perfluorinated ionomer membranes are proposed. The synthesis of trifluorovinyl sulfonyt chloride through a three-step reaction is proposed. Alternatively, the synthesis of trifluorovinyl sulfonyl fluoride is also proposed as the active monomer for radiation grafting. Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) will be used as the substrate. Both electron radiation (B) and gamma radiation can be employed as the irradiation source for grafting. The resulting grafted membrane can be easily converted to a perfluorinated ionomer membrane by hydrolysis. Some specific industrial applications are given.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: Perfluorinated ionomer membranes have a variety of important applications. These include industrial electrolytic processes, Borman dialysis, electrochromic devices, gas driers, ion selective elctrodes, fuel cells, batteries, and SPE technology. RAI Research Corporation is a manufacturing firm specializing in membranes and battery separators.
