Abstract
This article aims at showing the usefulness of fluoropolymers (PFs), supplying a browse on their synthesis, applications and recycling. FPs are currently prepared by conventional radical polymerization of fluoromonomers. These specialty polymers, produced in low tonnage compared to that of commodity ones, display outstanding properties such as chemical, oxidative and thermal resistances, low refractive index, dissipation factor, permittivity, and water absorptivity, and excellent weatherability and durability. More recent routes for their preparations are suggested, controlled or not, leading to random, alternated, block, graft, dendrimers or multiarm copolymers, as well as their applications ranging from coatings to high performance (thermoplastic) elastomers, energy related-materials (e.g. fuel cell membranes, components for Lithium ion batteries, electroactive devices, and photovoltaics) to original and surfactants, optical devices, organic electronics, composites and shape memory polymers.