Fluorine, the most electronegative element in the periodic table, plays a crucial role in a wide range of industries due to its unique properties and extraordinary reactivity. Its utilization across diverse applications would not have been possible without the development of fluoropolymers, a class of polymers that contain fluorine atoms.
The discovery of fluorine can be attributed to two nineteenth-century chemists: André-Marie Ampère in 1810 and Sir Humphry Davy in 1813. Despite their initial speculations, it was Henri Moissan who successfully isolated elemental fluorine in 1886 through the electrolysis of molten potassium fluoride (KF). Moissan's groundbreaking work not only marked the first isolation of fluorine but also characterized its highly reactive nature, which made it challenging to study and handle initially.
Following the discovery of elemental fluorine, scientists began exploring the synthesis and properties of fluorinated compounds. However, the development of practical applications for these compounds was hindered by the extreme reactivity and corrosiveness of fluorine gas. It was not until the 1930s that advancements in polymer chemistry paved the way for the synthesis of stable fluoropolymers. A team of scientists led by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett at the time was investigating the development of a new refrigerant gas. While experimenting with tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), Plunkett accidentally stumbled upon a waxy white substance instead of the anticipated gas. This serendipitous discovery in 1938 led to the identification of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the first commercially successful fluoropolymer.
After its discovery, the commercial potential of PTFE became evident. Throughout the 1950s ~ 1990s, researchers studied fluoropolymer blends to explore new fluoroplastic materials. Here are some important timing nodes:
Growth waves of fluoropolymers [1]
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