Solution viscosity behavior of polystyrene-based cationic ionomers. Effects of ion content and solvent

Dilute-solution viscosities of polystyrene-based cationic ionomers containing ammonio or phosphonio groups were measured in several solvents. In polar solvents with dielectric constant (ε_r) beyond 10, the ionomers showed a typical polyelectrolyte behavior, indicating that a large part of ionic groups were dissociated into ions. In nonpolar solvents with low ε_r, the reduced viscosity of the ionomers linearly decreased with a decreasing ionomer concentration. At low polymer concentrations, every ionomer gave a reduced viscosity lower than that of the corresponding chloromethylated polystyrene. With an increasing ion content, the intrinsic viscosity progressively decreased if the nonpolar solvents had a low acceptor number (A_N), such as toluene or tetrahydrofran (THF). In the halogenated solvents with high A_N value, such as chloroform, however, the intrinsic viscosity was hardly dependent on the ion content. This indicates that the intramolecular aggregation among the ionic groups is inhibited in the halogenated solvents due to a strong anion solvation. An addition of a protic solvent to a nonpolar solvent eliminates the aggregation between ionic groups and leads to polyelectrolyte behavior. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reactivity and catalytic activity of cationic lonomers for the nucleophilic substitution reactions

Polystyrene-based crosslinked cationic ionomers containing ammonium or phosphonium chlorides (AxRCI and PxBuCI) were reacted with decyl methanesulfonate. The kinetic data were correlated with the swelling behavior of the ionomers and the solution viscosity of the corresponding linear ionomers. The reactivity of the ionomers was independent of the particle size of the ionomer beads, indicating no diffusion control of the reaction. The solvent and the ion content of the ionomers greatly affect the reactivity. In nonpolar solvents with a low acceptor number, A_N, such as toluene, the aggregation of ionic groups with an increasing ion content reduces the reactivity. A solvent with a high value of A_N, such as chloroform, led a very low reactivity independent of the ion content. Aprotic polar solvent, such as acetonitrila, promoted the dissociation of the ionic groups and furnished a relatively high reactivity independent of the ion content. Several catalytic substitution reactions were carried out under liquid-solid-solid triphase conditions. The kinetic results were accounted for in terms of slow nucleophile transport and fast chemical reaction within the ionomer particles. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of sulfonated polyurethane ionomers with anions in the polyether soft segments

A series of polyether (PTMO, PEO) polyurethane ionomers having different contents of sodium sulfonate groups in the soft segments have been synthesized. The reaction of transesterification was involved in the incorporation of the sodium sulfonate groups in the polyether. The polyurethane ionomers were characterized by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle x-ray scattering. Solid-state ionic conductivity was also measured. As the ionization level increased, the compatibility of the hard and soft segments increased and the glass transition region of the soft segment became broader. These samples had relatively higher moduli and good film-forming ability. Moreover, this kind of ionomer provides a very promising ionic conductive multiphase polymer with a single ion transport mechanism. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solution behavior of ionomers. I. Metal sulfonate ionomers in mixed solvents

The solution behavior of metal sulfonate-containing ionomers has been investigated in various mixed solvent systems. Ionomers, such as lightly sulfonated polystyrene (sodium salt) and sulfonated ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (metal salts) are generally insoluble in typical hydrocarbon solvents, but readily dissolve when small amounts of alcohols or other polar cosolvents are present. At relatively low polymer concentration these ionomers display unusually high thickening behavior in nonpolar solvents when compared with nonionic polymers because of association of the metal sulfonate groups. The addition of modest levels of polar cosolvent markedly decreases the solution viscosity and gives rise to viscosity-temperature relationships different from those of conventional polymer solutions. For example, such solutions can display vicosities which increase, are relatively constant, or display maxima or minima over broad temperature ranges. These observations are interpreted as arising from a temperature-dependent preferential interaction of the cosolvent with the sulfonate groups. While these ionomers can be regarded as polyelectrolytes of low charge density, they do not display the typical “polyelectrolyte” behavior often observed in aqueous solutions. This anomalous behavior is attributed to the fact that the metal sulfonate groups are largely un-ionized in solvents of low dielectric constant. Therefore, the solution behavior is dominated by ion pair interactions rather than free ions.     

Telechelic sulfate ionomers. I. Preparation and solution and thermal properties

New telechelic ionomers with zinc and sodium sulfate salt terminal groups on hydrogenated polybutadiene (HPB) backbones ( I ) were prepared from hydroxyl-terminated hydrogenated polybutadiene (HTHPB) of three different molecular weights (1350, 2100, and 3200 g/mol). Quantitative acid-base titration, elemental analysis, and NMR spectroscopy were used to verify the structure, and further characterization included differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and solution viscometry. The DSC results indicated that the ionomers are free of impurities within the limit of the resolution of the method. Glass transition temperatures determined by DSC indicated that the elevation in glass transition temperature by ionic crosslinking was most strongly dependent on the molecular weight of the backbone of the telechelic ionomer. The solution viscometry results showed that the sulfation reaction did not cause either covalent crosslinking or chain scission. Furthermore, the solubility characteristics of the sulfate-terminated hydrogenated polybutadiene (STHPB) oligomers were shifted towards a preference for polar solvents by the presence of salt groups. The lower molecular weight ionomers of the series showed polyelectrolyte-like extension at very dilute concentrations in polar solvents. The onset of polymer gelation in hexane was observed for the ionomers which had the highest molecular weight backbones.     

Dispersions of polymer ionomers: I

The principal subject discussed in the current paper is the effect of ionic functional groups in polymers on the formation of nontraditional polymer materials, polymer blends or polymer dispersions. Ionomers are polymers that have a small amount of ionic groups distributed along a nonionic hydrocarbon chain. Specific interactions between components in a polymer blend can induce miscibility of two or more otherwise immiscible polymers. Such interactions include hydrogen bonding, ion-dipole interactions, acid-base interactions or transition metal complexation. Ion-containing polymers provide a means of modifying properties of polymer dispersions by controlling molecular structure through the utilization of ionic interactions. Ionomers having a relatively small number of ionic groups distributed usually along nonionic organic backbone chains can agglomerate into the following structures: (1) multiplets, consisting of a small number of tightly packed ion pairs; and (2) ionic clusters, larger aggregates than multiplets. Ionomers exhibit unique solid-state properties as a result of strong associations among ionic groups attached to the polymer chains. An important potential application of ionomers is in the area of thermoplastic elastomers, where the associations constitute thermally reversible cross-links. The ionic (anionic, cationic or polar) groups are spaced more or less randomly along the polymer chain. Because in this type of ionomer an anionic group falls along the interior of the chain, it trails two hydrocarbon chain segments, and these must be accommodated sterically within any domain structure into which the ionic group enters. The primary effects of ionic functionalization of a polymer are to increase the glass transition temperature, the melt viscosity and the characteristic relaxation times. The polymer microstructure is also affected, and it is generally agreed that in most ionomers, microphase-separated, ion-rich aggregates form as a result of strong ion-dipole attractions. As a consequence of this new phase, additional relaxation processes are often observed in the viscoelastic behavior of ionomers. Light functionalization of polymers can increase the glass transition temperature and gives rise to two new features in viscoelastic behavior: (1) a rubbery plateau above T(g) and (2) a second loss process at elevated temperatures. The rubbery plateau was due to the formation of a physical network. The major effect of the ionic aggregate was to increase the longer time relaxation processes. This in turn increases the melt viscosity and is responsible for the network-like behavior of ionomers above the glass transition temperature. Ionomers rich in polar groups can fulfill the criteria for the self-assembly formation. The reported phenomenon of surface micelle formation has been found to be very general for these materials.     

Small-angle X-ray scattering studies of zinc stearate-filled sulfonated poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-ethylidene norbornene) ionomers

The crystallization, melting, and dissolution behavior of zinc stearate (ZnSt) in ZnSt-filled sulfonated poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-ethylidene norbornene) (SEPDM) ionomers was studied by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The melting temperature of ZnSt in the ionomer was considerably lower than in the pure state, which was consistent with the existence of very small ZnSt crystalline domains and a specific interaction between the metal sulfonate groups of the SEPDM and the metal carboxylate groups of ZnSt. Temperature-resolved SAXS showed that, on melting, some or all of the ZnSt rapidly dissolved into the ionomer. Ionic aggregates in the neat ionomer persisted up to 300°C. Microphase separation was also observed at elevated temperatures for the ZnSt-filled ionomers, but the composition of the microdomains was believed to be quite different than that of the microdomains in the neat SEPDM. The time and temperature dependence of the ZnSt crystallization in the filled ionomers was characterized by time-resolved SAXS experiments following a temperature quench from the melt. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 3141–3150, 1999     

含离子聚合物体系的动力学

离子作用的可逆性赋予了含离子聚合物丰富的力学和电学性能,使其广泛应用在高抗冲材料、记忆材料、自修复材料和智能响应材料等新兴领域.本专论结合作者近年的研究工作,介绍了含离子聚合物体系的构效关系和分子流变学,从3个方面展开:第1部分介绍了对于含离子聚合物的离子聚集状态的调控,和离聚物与聚电解质的相互转化;第2部分介绍了离子高度聚集的无规离聚物丰富的线性黏弹性,重点介绍了非缠结体系在链均一个离子浓度附近区域的溶胶凝胶转变以及缠结体系在平均每个缠结链段一个离子浓度附近区域的单平台到双平台模量的转变;第3部分介绍了如何进行分子设计,使得含离子聚合物成为有效的离子传输介质.最后总结了该研究领域的科学问题和面临的挑战.     

Neutron study of self-organization in solutions of ionomers based on sulfonated polystyrene

Processes of self-organization of ionomers based on sulfonated PS containing ionogenic groups in the salt form (SO₃Na) in chloroform have been studied by small-angle neutron scattering. At a small content of ionogenic groups SO₃Na (1.35 mol %), the conformation of PS chains changes from coil-like to globular due to electrostatic interactions between them. An increase in the share of ionogenic groups to 2.6 mol % brings about the assembly of ionomer chains into a hollow spherical structure with the solvent inside. In the shell of a micelle, polar groups are densely packed and shielded from the solvent by nonpolar fragments of adjoining chains. At a low content of ionogenic groups in ionomers, two-thirds of macromolecules in solution are not incorporated in any structures. With an increase in the content of polar groups to 2.6 mol %, almost all chains are organized to small clusters—the stable pairs of macromolecules.     

MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS OF CARBOXYLATED URETHANE ACRYLATE IONOMERS IN LOW-POLARITY AND POLAR SOLVENTS

Carboxylated urethane acrylate ionomers that have a small number of ionic groups per chain were synthesized with varying the molecular weight of soft segment, the degree of ionization, and the sort of diisocyanate. The effect of intra-and intermolecular interactions on solution properties was studied by viscosity measurements in low-polarity and polar solvents. In a low-polarity solvent (1,4-dioxane), ionomers showed almost no intramolecular interaction at dilute concentration and a small degree of intermolecular interaction at high concentrations, resulting from a small number of ionic groups per chain. In a polar solvent (dimethylacetamide, DMAc), ionomers showed typical polyelectrolyte behavior, even though ionomers have a small number of ionic groups per chain. Intermolecular interaction caused by polyether soft segment, phenyl group, and hydrogen bond between urethane acrylate ionomer chains contributed to the increase of reduced viscosity at low concentration.     

Effects of metal ion-carbonyl interaction on miscibility and crystallization kinetic of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/lightly ionized PBS

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and PBS-based ionomers (PBSi) with 1.0 and 3.0 mol% sodium sulfonate ionic group were synthesized and blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHB-HHx) via direct melt compounding. FT-IR analysis demonstrated that the sodium metal ion–carbonyl interaction between PHB-HHx and PBS ionomer increased in strength with the ionic group concentration. Both non-isothermal and isothermal analyses showed the crystallization rates of PHB-HHx to decrease as the strength of the sodium metal ion–carbonyl interaction increased. However, the constant value obtained for the Avrami exponent indicated that the presence of PBS ionomer did not interfere in any way with the nucleation mechanism or the geometry of the crystal growth of PHB-HHx. DMTA analysis confirmed that PBS ionomer reduced the crystallinity of PHB-HHx, and this phenomenon increased in proportion to the ionic group content. As the ionic group concentration increased, the sodium metal–carbonyl interaction between PHB-HHx and PBS ionomer became much stronger, resulting in the improvement of the miscibility for the blend. The interaction parameter obtained by analyzing the equilibrium melting temperature was negative for all bend systems, with the ionomer having ionic group content, displaying a more negative value. Based on the Lauritzen–Hoffman secondary nucleation theory, the regime of the PHB-HHx/PBS ionomer blend remained unchanged throughout the crystallization process. In addition, both the nucleation constant and surface free energy were found to decrease as both ionomer content and ionic group concentration increased.     

嵌段离聚物的制备及其络合和缔合性质

报道了一种氢化ＳＢＳ（ＳＥＢＳ）的化学改性方法，由此得到了一种基于ＳＥＢＳ的离聚物，其中ＰＳ嵌段接有少量羧酸盐基．用动态光散射和粘度法表征了基于ＳＥＢＳ的不同配对离子的磺酸离聚物在非极性溶剂中的缔合行为，给出了缔合物存在的证据和缔合物尺寸的定量数据．ＳＥＢＳ磺酸盐离聚物与含吡啶基的无规共聚物在稀溶液和本体中能形成分子间的络合物，这从共混物溶液粘度的反常增大和本体Ｔｇ的显著增加得到了证明．用粘度法、透射电子显微镜表征和证实了ＳＥＢＳ羧酸钠离聚物在水中可以形成稳定的胶体分散．疏水粒子为表面的离子基团所稳定．     

Structure of ionic aggregates of ionomers. II. Effect of humidity and temperature on ethylene and styrene ionomers

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles of ethylene and styrene ionomers were studied to clarify the structure of ionic aggregates as a function of humidity or temperature. The intensity and position of ionic cluster peaks were observed for ionomers with a certain degree of neutralization. The intensity of the ionic cluster peak for the ethylene ionomer increased with increasing relative humidity, but it decreased for the styrene ionomer. With increasing humidity, the position of the ionic cluster peak shifted to smaller angles for both ionomers. The size of the ionic aggregates and the closest approach distance between the aggregates were analyzed, and the results varied with humidity for both ionomers. The size did not vary markedly with a change in temperature, whereas the closest approach distance and number of ionic aggregates changed slightly with the melting temperature of the ethylene ionomer and the glass‐transition temperature of the styrene ionomer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 831–839, 2002     

Dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene ionomers containing both carboxylate and sulfonate anionic groups

Polystyrene‐based ionomers possessing sodium methacrylate (MA) and sodium styrenesulfonate (SS) units in each polymer chain [poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylate‐co‐styrenesulfonate) (PSMA‐SS)] were synthesized. The dynamic mechanical properties of PSMA‐SS ionomers were studied and compared with those of styrene ionomers containing only MA (PSMA ionomer) or SS (PSS ionomer) units. It was observed that the ionic moduli of PSMA‐SS ionomers depended directly on the total ion content and that the ionic modulus was highest for the PSMA ionomer and lowest for the PSMA‐SS ionomer. The matrix T_gs of the three ionomer systems were found to be similar to each other; the cluster T_g of PSMA‐SS ionomer was higher than that of PSS ionomer at low SS contents but became closer to each other at high SS contents. In addition, the small‐angle X‐ray scattering study revealed that the multiplet size might be in the following order: PSMA‐SS > PSS > PSMA. This implied that at the same ion content, the fractions of cluster regions were smallest for PSMA‐SS ionomer in comparison with those of PSS or PSMA ionomers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Light-scattering study of the coil-to-globule transition of linear poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) ionomers in water

The coil-to-globule transition of two poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) ionomers with different ionic contents (0.8 and 4.5 mol %), but similar weight average molar masses, in deionized water was investigated by a combination of static and dynamic light scattering. In spite of the large difference in their ionic contents, both the ionomers have a nearly same lower critical solution temperature (LCST, ∼ 32.5°C). At temperatures higher than the LCST, the ionomer chains undergo a simultaneous intrachain coil-to-globule transition and interchain aggregation to form nanoparticles thermodynamically stable in water. The average size of the nanoparticles decreases respectively as the ionic content increases and the ionomer concentration decreases. The interchain aggregation can be completely suppressed in an extremely dilute ionomer solution (< ∼ 5 × 10⁻⁶ g/mL), so that the intrachain coil-to-globule transition leads to the collapse of the ionomer chains into individual single-chain nanoparticles. Our results clearly indicate that there is a hysteresis in the colling process (the globule-to-coil transition). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1501–1506, 1998     

Synthesis of Maleated Ionomers via Ring‐Opening Reaction of Epoxidized (Styrene‐Butadiene‐Styrene) Triblock Copolymer with Potassium Hydrogen Maleate and Study of their Properties

A novel method for synthesizing maleated ionomer of (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SBS) from epoxidized SBS was developed. The epoxidized SBS was prepared via epoxidation of SBS with performic acid formed in situ by 30% H₂O₂ and formic acid in cyclohexane in the presence of polyethylene glycol 600 as a phase transfer catalyst. The maleated ionomer was obtained by a ring‐opening reaction of the epoxidized SBS solution with an aqueous solution of potassium hydrogen maleate. The optimum conditions for the ring‐opening reaction and some properties of the ionomers were studied. It is necessary to use phase transfer catalyst, ring‐opening catalyst and a pH regulator (dipotassium maleate) for obtaining the epoxy group conversion over 90%. The product was characterized by FTIR spectrophotometry and transmission electron microcroscopy (TEM) to be an ionomer with domains of maleate ionic groups. With increasing ionic groups, the water absorbency and the dilute solution viscosity of the ionomer increase, whereas the oil absorbency decreases. The tensile strength and ultimate elongation of ionomers increase with ionic group content and are higher than those of the original SBS without using any ionic plasticizer, which is usually used with the sulfonated ionomer. The ionomers with 1.2–1.7 mmol ionic groups/g exhibit optimum mechanical properties and behave as thermoplastic elastomers. The ionomer can be used as a compatibilizer for the blends of SBS with oil resistant chlorohydrin rubber (CHR). Addition of 3 wt% ionomer to the blend can increase the tensile strength and ultimate elongation of the blend optimally. The compatibility of the blends enhanced by adding the ionomer was shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The blend of equal weight of SBS and CHR compatibilized by the ionomer behaves as a toluene resistant thermoplastic elastomer.     

Tuning the performance of aqueous photovoltaic elastomer gels by solvent polarity and nanostructure development

In this study, a sulfonated pentablock ionomer is considered for use as an aqueous gel electrolyte in photovoltaic elastomer gels (PVEGs) containing photosensitive dyes. Depending on the casting solvent employed, these materials order into different nanoscale morphologies, some of which inherently consist of a continuous pathway through which ions and other polar species are able to diffuse, while others transform into continuous channels upon exposure to water. Here, we examine the effect of solvent polarity during film casting, vapor annealing, and liquid immersion on block ionomer morphology and PVEG photovoltaic performance. Casting the block ionomers from a mixed nonpolar/polar solvent promotes the formation of dispersed ion‐rich spherical microdomains. Alternatively, the use of a single polar solvent produces coexisting nonpolar cylinders and lamellae. Exposure of either morphology to polar solvent vapor causes the block ionomers to restructure into a lamellar morphology, whereas exposure of dispersed ion‐rich microdomains to water induces a transformation to an irregular morphology composed of continuous ionic channels, which provide an effective pathway for ion diffusion and, consequently, the highest photovoltaic efficiency. In addition to their photovoltaic efficacy, these aqueous gels possess improved mechanical properties (in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus) in the presence of photosensitive dyes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 85–95     

Solution properties of ionomers. I. Counterion effect

The effect of counterions on the solution properties of two types of ionomers, one based on sulfonated polystyrene and the other based on styrene–methacrylic acid copolymer, was studied by viscosity and light scattering measurements. It was found that the order of counterion binding of ionomers in a polar solvent and the order of aggregation of ionomers in a low-polarity solvent were the same for the same ionomer system. However, the order for the sulfonated ionomer was Li < Na < K < Cs, whereas that for the carboxylated ionomer was the opposite. This can be explained by a difference in desolvation during anion–cation interaction and by considering site-binding in a polar solvent and the association of ion pairs in a low-polarity solvent. These findings for ionomer systems are parallel to the association behavior of small ions in water, cation affinity in crosslinked resins, and counterion binding of polyelectrolytes in water.     

Electroptical and dynamic properties of sulfonated polystyrene molecules and their associates in chloroform

The behavior of sulfonated PS containing 0.5, 1.35, 2.6, and 5.8 mol % of sodium sulfonate groups in chloroform solutions has been studied by static and dynamic light scattering, viscometry, and electric birefringence. The molecular mass of ionomers is measured, and their translational diffusion coefficient, intrinsic viscosity, and free relaxation times are estimated. It has been shown that association in solutions of ionomers containing more than 1.35 mol % of sodium sulfonate groups proceeds according to the open association model. Analysis of autocorrelation functions of scattered light intensity and electric birefringence decay makes it possible to determine translational diffusion coefficients and relaxation times for individual ionomer molecules, their pair associates, and higher multiplicity associates. With an increase in the fraction of sodium sulfonate groups, the hydrodynamic radius of individual ionomer molecules decreases from 8 to 5.8 nm, while the ratio between the hydrodynamic radius of pair associates and individual sulfonated PS molecules increases.     

The effects of low molar mass diluents on the microstructure of ionomers

The effect of polar and nonpolar low molar mass diluents on the microstructure of lightly sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) ionomers was studied using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, small-angle x-ray scattering, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Nonpolar diluents primarily affected the hydrocarbon - rich phase, while polar diluents partitioned into the ion-rich regions and disrupted the supramolecular structure. The ionic clusters remained intact, even at elevated temperatures, upon the addition of nonpolar solvents such as dodecane and dioctylphthalate. More polar solvents such as methanol and glycerol swelled the ionic domains and promoted increased mixing of the two phases.