catalyzed polymerization of hexafluoropropene oxide hfpo yielding a series of branched polymers designated as krytox u00ae dupont wilmington del united states of america a similar polymer is produced by the uv catalyzed photo oxidation of hexafluoropropene fomblin u00ae y solvay solexis brussels belgium further a linear polymer fomblin u00ae z solvay is prepared by a similar process but utilizing tetrafluoroethylene finally a fourth polymer demnum u00ae daikin industries ltd osaka japan is produced by polymerization of tetrafluorooxetane followed by direct fluorination structures for these fluids are presented in table i table ii contains property data for some members of the pfpe class of lubricants likewise the physical properties of functional pfpes are provided in table iii in addition to these commercially available pfpe fluids a new series of structures are being prepared by direct fluorination technology representative structures of these new pfpe materials appear in table iv of the abovementioned pfpe fluids only krytox u00ae and fomblin u00ae z have been extensively used in applications see jones w r jr the properties of perfluoropolyethers used for space applications nasa technical memorandum 106275 july 1993 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety accordingly the use of such pfpe materials is provided in the presently disclosed subject matter c 3 f 7 o cf cf 3 cf 2 o x cf 2 o y c 2 f 5 in some embodiments the perfluoropolyether precursor includes poly tetrafluoroethylene oxide co difluoromethylene oxide u03b1 u03c9 diol which in some embodiments can be photocured to form one of a perfluoropolyether dimethacrylate and a perfluoropolyether distyrenic compound a representative scheme for the synthesis and photocuring of a functionalized perfluoropolyether is provided in scheme 1 ii b perfluoropolyether materials prepared from a liquid pfpe precursor.