Modified polyaryl ether ketones Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Indian provisional patent application No.

201721031304 filed on 04 September 2017 and to European application No. 17199303.3 filed on 31 October 2017, the whole content of those applications being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention provides modified polyaryl ether ketones (PAEK)s having fluorinated moieties incorporated therein.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for covalently attaching fluorinated moieties onto the surface of PAEK, said method comprising reducing the ketone groups of the PAEK to hydroxyl groups to obtain a modified PAEK and then reacting the hydroxyl groups with a compound bearing a fluorinated moiety.

Background Art

[0004] Poly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEK)s are highly crystalline thermoplastic

polymers used in a wide range of applications where there is a need for high temperature performance and good chemical resistance.

[0005] Like many other polymeric materials, PAEKs exhibit a hydrophobic,

chemically inert surface nature, which is problematic in adhesion, coating, painting, coloring, biocompatibility, etc.

[0006] The success of any polymeric material for a certain application relies

largely upon the properties of its surface, which acts as the phase boundary residing between the bulk polymer and the outer environment. Therefore, for a particular target application the regulation of the polymer surface interaction with other media in contact is of prime importance. To date, mainly two different strategies have been explored for specifically tuning the surface properties of PAEK, which include exposure to high- energy species (plasmas, ozone, UV light, electrons, and γ-rays) and wet chemical methods. High-energy species have been applied mainly to improve adhesion whereas wet chemical methods have been utilized to effect rational control over surface chemical properties through selective organic surface transformations.

[0007] Several methods are known in the literature to prepare surface

functionalized PAEK derivatives.

[0008] For example, WO 2017/1 17087 (Cytec Industries Inc.) 6/07/2017 discloses PAEK surface treatment which comprises fluoro-oxidation that can be carried out by exposing polymeric particles to a reactive fluorine gas source and an oxidation source.

[0009] In another approach, the ketone functional group of PAEK may be

subjected to a number of transformations, such as reduction, and the aromatic backbone may undergo electrophilic reactions. Via such reactive chemical methods, polymerizable moieties may be covalently bound to PAEK surfaces.

[0010] US 2012/0255894 (Universitet Innsbruck) 1 1/10/2012 describes the

covalent attachment of styrenic polymeric monoliths to the surface of a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) via reduction of the ketone group of the PEEK to a hydroxyl group, followed by attaching a polymer or a

polymerizable mixture. Said PEEK-polymeric monoliths derivatives are described for use as stationary phases in the pharmaceutical quality control and medical diagnosis.

[001 1] Incorporation of fluorine moieties into polyether polymers is attracting

considerable attention due to the unique surface properties of the resulting materials, which can represent a huge improvement for use in certain applications.

[0012] MARCHAND-BRYNAERT, "Surface fluorination of PEEK film by selective wet-chemistry". Polymer, 1997, vol.38, no.6, p.1387-1394, discloses selective surface fluorination of PEEK films using the wet-chemistry technique. Films of PEEK including hydroxyl groups, obtained by surface reduction of native PEEK films, were used as intermediate for introducing fluorine atoms, trifluorobenzamide groups or fluorinated alkylic moieties such as heptadecafluorodecane on the surface of PEEK films. In particular, the introduction of fluorinated alkylic moieties was carried out via Williamson etherification by reacting the sodium salt of reduced PEEK with an iodine derivative of the fluorinated alkyl moiety. However, very low yields are reported for said fluorination processes.

[0013] It would be advantageous to have modified polyaryl ether ketones

polymers having surfaces grafted by hydrophobic and oleophobic fluorinated moieties, thus introducing a variety of surface properties to be combined with the known thermal/mechanical properties of PAEK that can be prepared by an efficient and versatile process.

Summary of invention

[0014] The Applicant has now surprisingly found that the PAEK surface properties can be tuned by grafting different fluorinated moieties on the surface of PAEK through an efficient process that provides modified PAEK for use in applications wherein the properties of fluorine moieties are combined with the high performance PAEK.

[0015] It is thus a first object of the present invention to provide fluorinated PAEK [F-PAEK] wherein at least 1 % moles of the recurring units are recurring units of formula (I),

the remaining recurring units having formula (RPAEK)

O I I W O-Ar'-C— Ar" O— , _R

(KPAEK),

the sum of recurring units (I) and (RPAEK) being 100% moles;

Ar' and Ar", equal to or different from each other, are aromatic groups;

W is an aromatic group selected from groups of formulae (W-l) to (W-lll):

(B)„ (W-l)

wherein B is a hydrogen of or a fluorine atom and m is an integer from 0 to 4;

Z is an optionally fluorinated alkylic or aromatic radical.

Y is at least one fluorinated moiety selected from the group consisting of fluorinated alkyl, fluorinated heteroalkyl, fluorinated aryl or a low/medium molecular weight fluorinated polymeric or oligomeric moiety;

LC is absent or is a linking chain consisting of one or more of the following, connected together: -C(O)-, alkylene or arylene;

with the proviso that when W is an aromatic radical of formula (W-l) and LC is alkylene, Y cannot be a fluorinated alkyl.

[0016] The invention further pertains to a method for manufacturing the F-PAEK as above detailed, said method comprising:

(i) reducing the ketone groups of a PAEK to hydroxyl groups to obtain a reduced PAEK [PAEK-OH];

(ii) reacting the PAEK-OH obtained in step (i) with a fluorinated

compound capable of providing a radical, said fluorinated

compound having formula

Y-LC-X [fluorinated compound (FC)],

wherein Y and LC are as above defined, and X is a group selected from a halogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

[0017] The described method can be applied to PAEK in the form of powder or film as well as on molded parts made of PAEK to achieve surface grafting.

[0018] The Applicant found that, advantageously, the F-PAEK of the present

invention can be useful in many applications wherein high thermal/mechanical properties are combined with modified surface properties to get hydrophobic and oleophobic fluorinated surface to get improved properties such as better chemical resistance and lubricated surface.

In a further aspect, thus, the present invention relates to articles

comprising the F-PAEK as above defined.

Description of embodiments

[0020] PAEK

[0021] As used herein, the expression "poly(aryl ether ketone)" or PAEK is hereby used to denote any polymer comprising recurring units (RPAEK) comprising a -W-O-Ar'-C(=O)-Ar"-O- group,

where Ar' and Ar", equal to or different from each other, are aromatic groups, and

W is an aromatic group selected from groups of formulae (W-l) to (W-lll):

(B)„ ( -l)

wherein B is a hydrogen of or a fluorine atom and m is an integer from 0 to 4 and

Z is an optionally fluorinated alkylic or aromatic radical.

[0022] The term "alkylic radical" is intended to refer to linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon chain. The term "fluorinated alkylic radical" refers to an alkylic radical in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with fluorine atoms, wherein said chain may be optionally unsaturated a wherein one or more carbon atoms may be replaced by heteroatom(s) such as O or S, preferably O.

[0023] The fluorinated alkylic radical is preferably selected from the group

consisting of: nd

[0024] The term "aromatic radical" refers to a radical derived from an aromatic system having 6 to 18 carbon atoms including, but not limited to, phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl and the like. The term "fluorinated aromatic radical" refers to aromatic an radical in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with one or more of a fluorine atom and a - CF3 group.

[0025] The fluorinated aromatic radical is preferably selected from the group consisting of:

and

[0026] Suitable aromatic groups Ar' and Ar" comprise at least one aromatic

mono- or poly-nuclear cycle, such as a phenylene or a naphthylene group.

[0027] The at least one aromatic mono- or poly-nuclear cycle may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, ether, thioether, carboxylic acid, ester, amide, imide, alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfonate, alkyl sulfonate, alkali or alkaline earth metal phosphonate, alkyl phosphonate, amine and quaternary ammonium.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment Ar' and Ar" are equal to each other and are phenylene groups.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the polymer PAEK is a poly(ether ether ketone) [PEEK]. As used herein, the expression "poly(ether ether ketone)" or PEEK denotes any polymer comprising recurring units (RPAEK) as above defined, wherein W is a group of formula (W-l) as above defined.

[0030] Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which PEEK is a polymer

having recurring units (RPAEK) of formula:

[0031] Preferably, PEEK for use in the present invention has a number average molecular weight Mn comprised between 5000 and 200000, preferably between 10000 and 100000 more preferably between 25000 and 75000.

[0032] PEEK is notably commercially available as KetaSpire® PEEK from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC.

[0033] F-PAEK [0034] As used herein, the term "fluorinated alkyl" refers to a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon chain in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with fluorine atoms.

[0035] The term "fluorinated heteroalkyl" refers to a fluorinated alkyl group in

which one or more carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatom(s) such as O or S, preferably O.

[0036] In the context of the present application, the term "fluorinated alkyl" or "fluorinated heteroalkyl" may include fluorinated alkyl or fluorinated heteroalkyl that are optionally substituted with halogen or hydroxyl groups or that are optionally unsaturated.

[0037] The term "fluorinated aryl" refers to a radical derived from an aromatic system having 6 to 18 carbon atoms including, but not limited to, phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl and the like, in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with one or more of the following: a fluorine atom, a fluorinated alkyl, a fluorinated heteroalkyl.

[0038] In the context of the present application, the term "fluorinated aryl" may include fluorinated aryl optionally substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, ether, thioether, carboxylic acid, ester, amide, imide.

[0039] Preferably, the fluorinated aryl is selected from:

- a benzene radical wherein at least one hydrogen atom of the benzene ring is substituted with a fluorine atom or with a trifluoromethyl group, such as a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene radical, or

- a styrene radical, wherein at least one hydrogen atom of the benzene ring is substituted with a fluorine atom, more preferably a

tetrafluorostyrene radical.

[0040] The term "linking chain" refers to a chain constituted by a plurality of atoms connecting the fluorinated moiety Y to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group of the reduced PAEK (PAEK-OH).

[0041] The term "alkylene" refers to a bivalent group derived from an alkyl moiety by removal of a hydrogen atom from each of two carbon atoms.

[0042] The term "arylene" refers to a bivalent group derived from an aryl moiety by removal of a hydrogen atom from each of two ring carbon atoms. [0043] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "low/medium molecular weight fluorinated polymeric or oligomeric moiety" is intended to denote polymers and oligomers comprising recurring units deriving

from the polymerization of at least one ethylenically

unsaturated fluorinated monomer as well as fluorinated polyethers.

[0044] In one embodiment fluorinated polymeric or oligomeic moieties are those comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer.

[0045] Non limiting examples of suitable ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomers are:

(a) C2-C8 fluoro- and/or perfluoroolefins such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), pentafluoropropylene and

hexafluoroisobutylene;

(b) C2-C8 hydrogenated monofluoroolefins such as vinyl fluoride, 1 ,2- difluoroethylene and trifluoroethylene;

(c) perfluoroalkylethylenes of formula CH2=CH-Rfo, wherein Rfo is a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group;

(d) chloro- and/or bromo- and/or iodo-C2-C6 fluoroolefins such as chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE);

(e) (per)fluoroalkylvinylethers of formula CF2=CFORfi, wherein Rn is a Ci- C6 fluoro- or perfluoroalkyl group, e.g. -CF3, -C2F5, -C3F7 ;

(f) (per)fluoro-oxyalkylvinylethers of formula CF2=CFOXo, wherein Xo is a C1-C12 oxyalkyl group or a C1-C12 (per)fluorooxyalkyl group having one or more ether groups, e.g. perfluoro-2-propoxy-propyl group;

(g) fluoroalkyl-methoxy-vinylethers of formula CF2=CFOCF2ORf2, wherein Rf2 is a C1-C6 fluoro- or perfluoroalkyl group, e.g. -CF3, -C2F5, -C3F7 or a C1-C6 (per)fluorooxyalkyl group having one or more ether groups, e.g. -

(h) fluorodioxoles of formula : wherein each of Rf3, Rf ₄ , Rf5 and Rf6, equal to or different from each other, is independently a fluorine atom, a C1-C6 fluoro- or per(halo)fluoroalkyl group, optionally comprising one or more oxygen atoms, e.g. -CF3, -C2F5, - C3F7, -OCF3, -OCF2CF2OCF3.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fluorinated polymeric moieties are fluorinated polyethers comprising at least one

(per)fluoropolyether chain [chain (R _P f)] having two chain ends, wherein at least one of said chain ends bears a group (A), wherein said group (A) is either an aromatic moiety comprising at least one aromatic mono- or poly- nuclear cycle or an aliphatic moiety optionally comprising at least one substituted, optionally unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon chain.

[0047] Preferably, said chain (R _pf ) is a chain of formula -(CFX) _a O(Rf)(CFX') _b -, wherein

a and b, equal or different from each other, are equal to or higher than 1 , preferably from 1 to 10, more preferably from 1 to 3;

X and X', equal or different from each other, are -F or -CF3,

provided that when a and/or b are higher than 1 , X and X' are -F;

(Rf) comprises, preferably consists of, repeating units being independently selected from the group consisting of:

(i) -CFXO-, wherein X is F or CF ₃ ;

(ii) -CFXCFXO-, wherein X, equal or different at each occurrence, is F or CF3, with the proviso that at least one of X is -F;

(iii) -CF2CF2CW2O-, wherein each of W, equal or different from each other, are F, CI, H;

(iv) -CF2CF2CF2CF2O-;

(v) -(CF2)j-CFZ-O- wherein j is an integer from 0 to 3 and Z is a group of general formula -O-R(f _-a )-T, wherein R(f _-a ) is a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain comprising a number of repeating units from 0 to 10, said recurring units being chosen among the following : -CFXO- , -CF2CFXO-, -CF2CF2CF2O-, -CF2CF2CF2CF2O-, with each of each of X being independently F or CF3 and T being a C1-C3 perfluoroalkyl group.

[0048] More preferably, a and b, equal or different from each other, are from 1 to 10, even more preferably from 1 to 3.

[0049] Preferably, chain (Rf) complies with the following formula:

(R _f -I)

-[(CFXO)gi(CFX2CFX O)g2(CF2CF2CF2O)g3(CF2CF2CF2CF ₂ O)g ₄ ]- wherein

- X ¹ is independently selected from -F and -CF3,

- X ² , X ³ , equal or different from each other and at each occurrence, are independently -F, -CF3, with the proviso that at least one of X is -F;

- g1 , g2 , g3, and g4, equal or different from each other, are independently integers≥0, such that g1 +g2+g3+g4 is in the range from 2 to 300, preferably from 2 to 100; should at least two of g1 , g2, g3 and g4 be different from zero, the different recurring units are generally statistically distributed along the chain.

[0050] More preferably, chain (Rf) is selected from chains of formula:

(Rf-IIA) -[(CF2CF ₂ O)al(CF ₂ O)a2]- wherein:

- a1 and a2 are independently integers≥ 0 such that the number average molecular weight is between 400 and 10,000, preferably between 400 and 5,000; both a1 and a2 are preferably different from zero, with the ratio a1/a2 being preferably comprised between 0.1 and 10;

(Rf-IIB) -[(CF2CF2O)bi(CF2O)b2(CF(CF3)O)b3(CF ₂ CF(CF3)O)b4]- wherein:

b1 , b2, b3, b4, are independently integers≥ 0 such that the number average molecular weight is between 400 and 10,000, preferably between 400 and 5,000; preferably b1 is 0, b2, b3, b4 are > 0, with the ratio b4/(b2+b3) being >1 ;

(Rf-IIC) -[(CF ₂ CF2O)ci(CF2O)c2(CF2(CF2)cwCF ₂ O)c3]- wherein:

cw = 1 or 2;

c1 , c2, and c3 are independently integers≥ 0 chosen so that the number average molecular weight is between 400 and 10,000, preferably between 400 and 5,000; preferably c1 , c2 and c3 are all > 0, with the ratio c3/(c1 +c2) being generally lower than 0.2;

(Rf-I I D) -[(CF ₂ CF(CF ₃ )O) _d ]- wherein:

d is an integer > 0 such that the number average molecular weight is between 400 and 10,000, preferably between 400 and 5,000;

(Rf-I I E) -[(CF ₂ CF2C(Hal*)2O)ei -(CF2CF2CH2O)e2-(CF2CF ₂ CH(Hal ^* )O)e3]- wherein:

- Hal ^* , equal or different at each occurrence, is a halogen selected from fluorine and chlorine atoms, preferably a fluorine atom;

- e1 , e2, and e3, equal to or different from each other, are independently integers≥ 0 such that the (e1 +e2+e3) sum is comprised between 2 and 300.

[0051] Still more preferably, chain (Rf) complies with formula (Rf-lll) here below:

(Rf-lll) -[(CF ₂ CF2O)al(CF ₂ O)a2]- wherein:

- a1 , and a2 are integers > 0 such that the number average molecular weight is between 400 and 10,000, preferably between 400 and 5,000, with the ratio a1/a2 being generally comprised between 0.1 and 10, more preferably between 0.2 and 5.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, said chain (R _P f) is linked to said at least one group (A) via a linking group [group (L)].

[0053] Preferably, said group (L) is a divalent alkyl chain comprising from 1 to 20, more preferably from 2 to 10, carbon atoms and at least one oxygen atom.

[0054] More preferably, said group (L) is a chain of formula -CH2O- or -

CH(CF ₃ )O-.

[0055] Said at least one group (A) is typically a group located, preferably via a linking group (L), at the at least one end of the polymeric chain (R _P f). [0056] Preferably, group (A) is an aromatic moiety that complies with the following formula A-l):

wherein

T is -C(=0)- or -S(=0)2- ;

w is zero or 1 ; and

the symbol ^* indicates the bond with group (L) as defined above;

the symbol ^** indicates the bond with LC in formula (I).

[0057] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when w is zero, the

corresponding carbon atom(s) bear(s) a hydrogen atom.

[0058] More preferably, said group (A) complies with the following formulae (A-l-i) to (A-l-iv):

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluorinated moiety Y is a fluorinated polymeric moiety comprising one chain (R _P f) having two chain ends, wherein both said chain ends comprise the group (A-l) as defined above.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, chain (R _P f) is mono-functional, i.e. it comprises two chain ends, wherein one chain end comprises said group (A-l) as defined above, and the other chain end comprises a

(per)fluorinated alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

[0061] According to a more preferred embodiment, chain (R _P f) is bi-functional, i.e. it comprises two chain ends, wherein one chain end comprises said group (A-l) as defined above and the second chain end comprises a chain end of the followin formula (A-l I):

wherein

T is -C(=0)- or -S(=0)2- ;

w is zero or 1 ;

G is a group selected from halogen atom or hydroxyl group; and

the symbol * indicates the bond with group (L) as defined above.

[0062] According to a further preferred embodiment, chain (R _P f) is bi-functional, i.e. it comprises two chain ends, wherein both chain ends comprise said group (A-l) as defined above, both being linked to LC in formula (I).

[0063] The applicant has surprisingly found that covalently grafting fluorinated moieties to PAEK allows minimizing the phase separation which is a common drawback when during processing PAEK materials are mixed with fluorinated species.

[0064] The invention further pertains to a method for manufacturing the F-PAEK as above detailed, said method comprising:

(i) reducing the ketone groups of a PAEK to hydroxyl groups to obtain a reduced PAEK [PAEK-OH]; (ii) reacting the PAEK-OH obtained in step (i) with a fluorinated compound capable of providing a radical, said fluorinated compound having formula

Y-LC-X [fluorinated compound (FC)],

wherein Y and LC are as above defined, and X is a group selected from a halogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

[0065] Each recurring unit of PAEK has a ketone group. According to the method of the invention, the ketone groups of PAEK undergo chemical

transformation to provide corresponding hydroxyl groups. Said hydroxyl groups may then participate either directly, as a corresponding metal salt, or after being derivatized with an appropriate leaving group, to the reaction with the fluorinated compound (FC) to form a covalent linkage between the oxygen of the PAEK-OH and the fluorinated moiety Y.

[0066] The above described method can be carried out starting from a PAEK in the form of powder, in the form of film or as a molded article.

[0067] Films and molded articles of PAEK can be manufactured by techniques known in the art.

[0068] Reduction step (i) can be carried out according to procedures known in the art.

[0069] In principle, any reducing agent that is capable of converting carbonyl groups to hydroxy groups can be used in step (i). Borohydrides are particularly preferred. Such borohydrides include, but are not limited to, sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium

trimethoxyborohydride, tetramethylammonium borohydride,

tetramethylammonium triacetoxyborohydride, tetraethylammonium borohydride, tetrabutylammonium borohydride, tetrabutylammonium cyanoborohydride, cetyltrimethylammonium borohydride,

benzyltriethylammonium borohydride, bis(triphenyl-phosphine) copper(l) borohydride, lithium aluminium hydride, dimethylamineborane (DMAB) and mixtures of at least two of these. Preferably, said reducing agent is sodium borohydride. [0070] The extent of the reduction of the PAEK to PAEK-OH may be followed by FT-IR spectroscopy technique, analysing the intensity of the peak related to the ketone groups, which decreases with time indicating the conversion to hydroxyl groups. It may also be followed by nuclear magnetic

resonance, ¹ H-NMR, ³ C-NMR and ¹⁹ F-NMR, dissolving the samples in chloroform.

[0071] The duration of step (i) is usually comprised between 10 min and 10 hours.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment wherein the moiety W of PAEK used in step (i) has formula (W-l), the duration of said step (i) is preferably of from 3 to 8 hours.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment wherein the moiety W of PAEK used in step (i) has formula (W-ll), the duration of said step (i) is preferably of from 10 min to 90 min.

[0074] According to the PAEK used as starting material in step (i), the PAEK-OH obtained by the method according to the present invention can be in the form of powder, in the form of film or as a molded article.

[0075] PAEK-OH in the form of powder obtained in step (i) can be formed in the form of a film or as a molded article and then subjected to the reaction of step (ii).

[0076] For the purpose of the present invention, reduction step (i) can be a partial reduction or a complete reduction, leading, respectively, to a partially or fully reduced PAEK-OH.

[0077] As used within the present invention, the term -PAEK-OH is intended to include both partially reduced PAEK-OH and fully reduced PAEK-OH, unless otherwise specified.

[0078] Accordingly, PAEK-OH obtained by the method of the present invention is a reduced PAEK that includes at least 1 % by moles, preferably more than 40% by moles, more preferably more than 60% by moles, of recurring units of formula (III):

OH

I

— W O-Ar'-CH -Ar"— O— _(m) the remaining being recurring units (RPAEK) as above defined. [0079] PAEK-OH obtained in step (i) can be used directly in the following reaction step (ii); alternatively, the hydroxyl group of PAEK-OH formed in the reduction step (i) can be treated with suitable reactants to provide a corresponding metal salt of formula PAEK-O— M ⁺ , wherein M is an alkaline metal, sodium being preferred, or a derivative of formula PAEK-O-L _g , wherein L _g is a leaving group such as a sulfonated ester, preferably a sulfonate ester such as C1F9SO3-, according to common procedures known to the skilled in the art.

[0080] Fluorinated compounds (FC) used in step (ii) are compounds capable of providing radicals of formula Y-LC- when reacting with PAEK-OH directly obtained in step (i), with PAEK-O-M ⁺ , or with PAEK-O- L _g , wherein M and L _g are as above defined.

[0081] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluorinated compound (FC) is a compound that complies with formula:

Y-LC-X, wherein Y and LC are as above defined, and

X is a group selected from a halogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

[0082] Suitable fluorinated compounds (FC) according to this preferred

embodiment are selected from compounds of formula Y-LC-X wherein:

- Y is a fluorinated aryl and LC is absent or is a C(O);

- Y is a low/medium molecular weight fluorinated polymeric or oligomeric moiety, and LC is an alkylene,

and X is a group selected from a halogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

[0083] Particularly preferred fluorinated compounds (FC) according to this

embodiment are fluorobenzene, trifluoromethylbenzene, 3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl halide and pentafluorostyrene.

[0084] F-PAEK obtained by the method of the present invention may be in the form of powder, film or as a molded article.

[0085] Additives can be used to enhance or impart particular target properties to

F-PAEK, as it is conventionally known in the polymer art, including stabilizers, flame retardants, pigments, plasticizers, surfactants and the like.

[0086] In a further approach, the Applicant has surprisingly found that when the fluorinated moiety Y covalently bound to the PAEK includes certain reactive functional groups, the F-PAEK of the present invention, in the form of powder, film or as molded article, can undergo crosslinking when heated (thermal crosslinking) or when subjected to UV-irradiation (photo crosslinking) for a certain time.

[0087] Suitable reactive functional groups that can undergo crosslinking are, notably, olefins.

[0088] It is thus a further object of the present invention to provide a method for obtaining crosslinked F-PAEK (F-PAEK-XL) by crosslinking a F-PAEK wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of an unsaturated fluorinated alkyl, an unsaturated fluorinated heteroalkyl and a fluorinated aryl substituted with an alkenyl group.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the F-PAEK-XL is obtained by crosslinking a F-PAEK wherein Y is a styrene radical wherein at least one hydrogen atom of the benzene ring is substituted with a fluorine atom, more preferably a tetrafluorostyrene radical.

[0090] Crosslinking can be carried out thermally or via UV-light exposure (photo crosslinking).

[0091] Thermal crosslinking can be carried out by heating the F-PAEK at a

temperature that may vary from about 150°C to about 400°C, preferably at a temperature of about 300°C, more preferably 200°C. Photo crosslinking may be carried out by exposing a composition coprising F-and at least a photoinitiator, to UV light in the range of 190-400 nm.

[0092] Any suitable photoinitiator may be used which is capable of initiating

crosslinking of the reactive functional groups upon exposure to UV light.

[0093] Non-limiting examples of useful photoinitiators include a benzoine alkyl ether derivative, a benzophenone derivative, an a-aminoalkylphenone type, an oxime ester derivative, a thioxanthone derivative, an

anthraquinone derivative, an acylphosphineoxide derivative, a glyoxyester derivative, an organic peroxide type, a trihalomethyltriazine derivative or a titanocene derivative. Specifically, IRGACURE® 651 , IRGACURE® 184, DAROCUR® 1 173, IRGACURE® 500, IRGACURE® 2959, IRGACURE® 754, IRGACURE® 907, IRGACURE® 369, IRGACURE® 1300,

IRGACURE® 819, IRGACURE® 819DW, IRGACURE® 1880, IRGACURE® 1870, DAROCUR® TPO, DAROCUR® 4265, IRGACURE® 784, IRGACURE® OXE01 , IRGACURE® OXE02 or IRGACURE® 250 (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals K.K.), KAYACURE DETX-S, KAYACURE CTX, KAYACURE BMS or KAYACURE 2-EAQ

(manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), TAZ-101 , TAZ-102, TAZ-103, TAZ-104, TAZ-106, TAZ-107, TAZ-108, TAZ-1 10, TAZ-1 13, TAZ-1 14, TAZ-1 18, TAZ-122, TAZ-123, TAZ-140 or TAZ-204 (manufactured by Midori Kagaku Co., Ltd.) may, for example, be mentioned.

[0094] The crosslinking can be verified by determining the glass transition

temperature (Tg) of the crosslinked F-PAEK-XL, which markedly increases after the crosslinking reaction.

[0095] As mentioned above, the use of any polymeric material depends largely upon their surface properties; surface acts as phase boundary between the bulk polymer and the outer environment. So, it is very important to tune the polymer surface property for a particular target application. The fluorinated PAEK of the present invention may find many applications because it adds the advantages of fluorinated moieties to the highly applicable high performance PAEK.

[0096] In a further aspect, thus, the present invention relates to articles

comprising a F-PAEK or a F-PAEK-XL that can be used in chemical, electronic and semiconductor industries. F-PAEK and F-PAEK-XL are also suitable for coating surfaces and for fabricating O-rings, V-rings, gaskets and diaphragms.

[0097] Should the disclosure of any patents, patent applications, and publications which are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the description of the present application to the extent that it may render a term unclear, the present description shall take precedence.

[0098] The invention will be now described in more details with reference to the following examples whose purpose is merely illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention.

[0099] EXPERIMENTAL PART

[00100] Raw materials: [00101] PEEK is a standard polyether ether ketone homopolymer with low-medium viscosity and Tm = 172°C, commercially available from Solvay under the name Ketaspire®.

[00102] PFPE is a perfluoropolyether of formula

HOCH2CF2(CF2CF2O)m(CF2O)nCF2CH ₂ OH,

commercially available from Solvay Specialty Polymers Italy S.p.A., wherein m/n > 1 ; Mn = 3000; Mw = 3050 g/mol; EW = 1605 g/eq.

[00103] All other starting materials received from commercial source and used as such without any further purification.

[00104] Thermal analyses

[00105] Polymer thermal stability (TGA) was tested using Q500 - TA instruments in N2 atmosphere with heating rate 20 °C/min.

[00106] DSC measurements were performed on a Q2000 - TA instruments in N2 atmosphere.

[00107] Example 1 Reduction of PEEK powder to obtain PEEK-OH powder

[00108] PEEK powder (prior to use, the PEEK powder was washed in refluxing acetone for 14 hrs, washed twice with acetone, and dried under vacuum oven at 100°C for 3-4 hours) (10.0 g, 1 eq.), sodium borohydride (30.0 g, 3 times by weight) and DMSO (200 ml) were charged in the three neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 120°C for 4 to 5 hours and reaction was monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy (see Table 1). After complete

conversion, reaction mass was cooled to room temperature and DMSO was decanted. Powder was washed with methanol (100 ml_) for 15 min, in DM water for 15 min, in 0.5 N HCI for 10 min, in water for 10 min, and in methanol for 20 min. Finally, the powder was dried at 100°C under vacuum for 30 min. (% Yield: 10. Og- Quantitative).

Table 1

Reduction PEEK-OH (%

time conversion) ^*

0 h 0%

1 h 58%

2 h 82% 3 h 84%

4 h 92%

5 h 100%

^* ATR-IR was used to analyze the reduction of keto groups of PEEK into hydroxyl groups. The % conversion was calculated as the ratio between the area of carbonyl peak at 1650 cm-1 and the area of the reference band at 1490 cm-1 (C-C stretching of aromatic rings).

[00109] Example 2 Reduction of PAEK powder to PAEK-OH

[001 10] PAEK powder was prepared as follows:

2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropan (65.0 g, 0.193 moles), difluorobenzophenone (43.0 g, 0.197 moles) and K ₂ CO ₃ (40.0 g, 0.290 moles), NMP (400 ml_) and toluene (200 ml_) were charged in the three neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser, mechanical stirrer and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 140-150 °C with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere and reaction was monitored by GPC analysis. Once the desired molecular weight was achieved, reaction mixture was precipitated in water and polymer lumps were thoroughly washed with hot water. For further purification, polymer was dissolved in CH2CI2 and precipitated in methanol, and then dried under the vacuum at 130 °C for overnight.

%Yield: >95%

# GPC: Mn: 9784, MW: 52610, PDI: 5.0

# ¹ H NMR (CDCIs): 7.05-7.10(q, 8H, J=8Hz), 7.38-7.40 (d, 4H, J=8Hz), 7.81 -7.83 (d, 4H, J=8Hz).

[001 1 1] PAEK Reduction:

[001 12] PAEK powder (25.0g, 0.058 moles, 1 eq.), sodium borohydride (6.68g, 0.177 moles, 3 Eq.) and THF (200 ml) were charged in the three neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 60 °C for 20 min to 1 h and reaction was monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. After reaching required conversion, reaction mass was cooled to the room temperature and precipitated in methanol. Powder was washed with fresh methanol (100 ml) for 15 min, in DM water for 15 min, in 0.5 N HCI for 10 min, in water for 10 min, and in methanol for 20 min. Finally , the powder was dried at 100°C under vacuum for 30 min to obtain 25.0 g-of partially reduced PAEK-OH (60% conversion).

%Yield: 95%

# GPC: Mn: 8646, MW: 42452, PDI: 4.9

# 1 H NMR (CDCIs): 5.86 (s, 1 H), 6.95-6.97 (d, 4H, J=8Hz), 7.04-7.06 (d, 4H, J=8Hz), 7.34-7.45 (m, 8H).

[001 13] Example 3 Synthesis of fluorinated polyether having formula :

wherein R _f = (CF ₂ CF20)m(CF ₂ 0)n; m/n >1 ; M _n = 3000

[001 14] A round-bottomed glass reactor, equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a reflux condenser (the refrigerant liquid was Galden®HT-1 10 - obtained from Solvay Specialty Polymers Italy S.p.A.) with an inert gas (N2) compensator on top, a dripping funnel and an internal thermometer, was charged with anhydrous PFPE (584 g; 369 mmols; 677 meq). The mechanical stirrer was turned on to about 300 rpm, the PFPE was heated to 45°C and a 9.56 w/v solution of tBuOK/tBuOH (795 ml; 677 mmol tBuOK) was dripped at a rate of 300 mmol/h. The temperature was raised to about 57°C and kept with stirring for 2 hours. The solution thus obtained was stripped with 90% v/v of tBuOH to obtain a clear to yellowish oil.

[001 15] Then, 3-nitro-4,4'-difluorobenzophenone (403 g; 147mols) was dissolved in hexafluoroxylene (HFX - 2000 ml_) in about 1 hour at 50°C with mild stirring. A yellow homogeneous solution was obtained.

[001 16] Then, the oil comprising the PFPE was dripped in the solution of 3-nitro- 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone at 75°C and at a rate of about 100 mmol/h with 300 rpm mechanical stirring. During the addition of PFPE the internal reaction temperature was raised to about 1 10°C (the reflux temperature of residual t-BuOH in HFX) with 300 rpm mechanical stirring, for a total reaction time of 5 hours. A first aliquot of t-BuOK (203 mmol) was added with a solid dispenser in the crude reaction mixture at a rate of 400 mmol/h. A second aliquot t-BuOK (101 mmol) was added after 20 hrs of reaction time and a third aliquot (50 mmol) was added after 27 hrs of total reaction time. At this point, the termination of the end-capping reaction was aided by adding 10 mol% of the starting molar amount of 3-nitro-4- fluorobenzophenone (13 grams; 44.3 mmol; solid dispenser). The conversion of the pre-terminals was followed by ¹⁹ F-NMR.

[001 17] The crude reaction mixture was first cooled to room temperature and then centrifuged (10000 rpm; 25°C; 60 min) in order to separate the residual solid particulates, comprising mainly unreacted t-BuOK and 3-nitro-4,4'- difluorobenzophenone.

[001 18] The centrifuged surnatant was transferred to a separatory funnel and was washed 2 times with aqueous 10% hhO ⁺ CI- (1 :0.5 v/v organic:water). The washing was considered completed when the final pH of the H2O layer was below 3.

[001 19] The washed crude mixture was then dried over MgSO ₄ , filtered with 5 μηη PTFE membrane, and the solvent evaporated first at 70°C and 0.1 mm Hg residual P (employing a Rotavapor) and then at 100°C and 0,07 PRES with a mechanical pump in order to sublime most of the residual, unreacted 4- fluorobenzophenone as well as unreacted 3-nitro-4,4'- difluorobenzophenone.

[00120] Isolated yield = 86 mol% of a dark viscous liquid

Average MW = 3664 g/mol

EW= 1928 g/eq.

PFPE segment average MW = 31 16 g/mol.

[00121] Formation of F- ions during the reaction indicates the covalent attachment of PFPE to the PEEK. The presence of F- ions in the reaction mixture was determined by F- ion selective electrode (AgNO3 titration method):

[00122] F- ions (ppm) = 256;

F- ions (mg) = 281.6 mg;

Theoretical F- ions (mg) = 484 mg.

[00123] Example 4: Grafting of fluorinated polyether to PEEK powder

[00124] PEEK-ONa powder obtained as in Example 1 (before protonation) was washed three times with fresh DMSO. Then, sulfolane (100 ml_) and the fluorinated polyether obtained as in Example 3 (12.0 g, 5.1 mmol) in hexafluoroxylene (HFX) were added. The reaction mixture was initially heated at 120°C for 1 hour and then 170 °C for 4-5 hrs. After that sulfolane was distilled off under the reduce pressure at 140 °C and washed with DM water (400 ml_), methanol (100 X 2 ml_), and HFX (100 ml_) for 2-3 hrs. Resulting polymer powder was dried under vacuum oven at 100 °C for 4-5 hrs. (% Yield: 1 1.0 g - 50%)

[00125] Example 5: Reduction of PEEK film

[00126] A similar procedure was adopted for the reduction of PEEK film as

described in example 1 above for PEEK powder. In Table 2 the % conversion vs time is reported.

Table 2

^* ATR-IR was used to analyze the reduction of keto groups of PEEK into hydroxyl groups. The % conversion was calculated as the ratio between the area of carbonyl peak at 1650 cm-1 and the area of the reference band at 1490 cm-1 (C-C stretching of aromatic rings).

[00127] Example 6: Grafting of fluorinated polyether to PEEK-ONa film:

[00128] A similar procedure was adopted for grafting as described in example 4 above.

[00129] Example 7: Grafting of pentafluorostyrene to PEEK -ONa film:

[00130] PEEK-ONa films (1.8 g, 0.00530 mol, PEEK-OH-70% reduced as per IR), pentafluorostyrene (10.0 g, 0.053 moles) and THF (10 ml_) were charged in the two neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 60°C for 16 hrs. Then, reaction mass was poured in DM water and resulting polymer was washed with methanol (100 X 2 ml_). Polymer was dried under the vacuum at 100 °C for 4-5 hrs. (% Yield: 1.7 g - Quantitative). [00131] Example 8: Grafting of hexafluorotoluene to PEEK-ONa film:

[00132] PEEK-ONa films (1.8 g, 0.00530 mol, PEEK-OH-70% reduced as per IR), hexafluorotoluene (4.24 g, 0.0212 moles) and DMSO (10 ml_) were charged in the two neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 100 °C for 16 hrs.

Then, reaction mass was poured in DM water and resulting polymer was washed with methanol (100 X 2 ml_). Polymer was dried under the vacuum at 100 °C for 4-5 hrs. (% Yield: 1.7 g - Quantitative).

[00133] Example 9: Grafting of octafluorotoluene to PEEK-ONa film:

[00134] A similar procedure was adopted for grafting as described in example 8 above.

[00135] Example 10: Grafting of pentafluorostyrene to PEEK-OH (film and

powder)

[00136] Partially reduced PEEK-OH films/powder (0.5 g, 0.00148 mol, PEEK-OH 70% reduced as per IR), NaH (0.043 g, 0.00178 mol) and THF (10 ml_) were charged in the two neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for few minutes and then pentafluorostyrene (0.431 g, 0.0022 moles) was slowly added. The reaction mass was heated at 60 °C for 16 hours. Then, reaction mass was poured in demineralized water (400 ml_) and the resulting polymer was washed with methanol (100 X 2 ml_). The polymer was dried under the vacuum at 100 °C for 4-5 hrs. (% Yield: 0.5 g - Quantitative).

[00137] Example 1 1 : Grafting of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl chloride to PEEK- OH powder

[00138] Partially reduced PEEK-OH powder (0.5 g, 0.00148 mol, PEEK-OH 70% reduced as per IR),3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl chloride (1.2 g, 0.0044 mol) and CH2CI2 (15 ml_) were charged in a two neck round bottom flask equipped with condenser and nitrogen inlet. Triethylamine (2.24 g, 0.0222 mol) was slowly added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. Then, the reaction mass was poured in demineralized water (400 ml_) and the resulting polymer was washed with methanol (100 X 2 ml_). The polymer was dried under the vacuum at 100 °C for 4-5hrs. (% Yield: 0.6 g -71 %).

[00139] Example 12: Grafting pentafluorostyrene to PAEK-OH (powder) of

example 2

A similar procedure was adopted for grafting as described in example 10 above.

Example 13: Contact angle measurements of PEEK-OH film grafted with fluorinated polyether

[00142] Contact angle measurements were performed on PFPE grafted PEEK films by using a DataPhysics - OCA 20 instrument. Water and n- hexadecane solvent were used as reference solvents for measuring hydrophobicity and oleophobicity respectively with a dosing volume 2 μΙ_. Contact angle measurement data is shown in Table 3. PFPE grafted PEEK surface displayed high hydrophobicity and oleophobicity as compared to the original PEEK films and improvement in the contact angle is dependent on the amount of PFPE loading on the surface of PEEK.

Table 3

Example Contact angle (AVG)

Water Hexadecane

Example 6 128 51

Example 7 78 21

Example 8 102 19

Example 9 100 29