Recent Advances in Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) Polymers for Space Coatings, Energy Conversion Membranes and Microphotonics

摘要

Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers are a relatively new class of semi-fluorinated polymers. High fluorine content coupled with high solubility in common organic solvents makes them attractive in markets where processability might have otherwise been a hurdle. Phosphine-oxide containing PFCB polymers combine the chemical and thermal resilience of fluorine with the oxidative stability of phosphine-oxide to provide "self-healing" fluoropolymers for potential space applications. Within the arena of energy conversion, super-acid ionomer PFCB polymers show great promise for fuel cell applications, while crown ether containing PFCB polymers may provide longer lasting lithium batteries with greater thermal stability. Finally, due to their low optical loss at wavelengths pertinent to telecommunications, PFCB polymers have found great utility as materials for optical waveguides and thermoptic switches in the emerging field of microphotonics.