Ionomer-surfactant self-assembly in low-polarity solvents

A systematic study of complexation reactions of sulfonated polystyrene ionomers containing up to 5 molar percent of polar chain units with various oil-soluble surfactants is carried out in low-polarity organic solvents. Dipole-dipole attractions of the components lead to the formation of complexes characterized by limiting compositions and an unusual polymer-colloidal morphology of joint clusters and/or micelles. The limiting compositions (φ) for the complexes formed between ionomers and surfactant of the same charge (bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt), or nonionic surfactants (primarily aliphatic amines) are equal to 15–30 surfactant molecules per one ionomer salt/acid group on average, with φ depending on the hydrophilic-lypophilic balance of the components, the initial aggregation state of surfactant and the nature of low-polarity solvent. Ionomersurfactant complexation is accompanied by disruption of self-contacts of ionomer salt/acid groups, leading to “unfastening” and expansion of the ionomer coils in dilute solution. The “driving force” of the ionomersurfactant complexation and the structure of the resultant complexes are discussed.     

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.     

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 behavior of metal sulfonate ionomers. II. Effects of solvents

Previous studies on the dilute-solution behavior of sulfonated ionomers have shown these polymers to exhibit unusual viscosity behavior in mixed solvents of low polarity. These results have been interpreted as arising from specific solvation effects by the solvents with the metal sulfonate groups which persist as ion pairs. The consequences of ion pair interactions and their solvation are exceptional thickening behavior at low polymer levels as compared to unfunctionalized polymers, and anomolous solution viscosities with varying temperature. These studies have now been extended to single-component solvents which traverse a range of polarities. Using the sodium salt of lightly sulfonated polystyrene (S-PS) as a model system, the authors found the solution behavior in low-polarity solvents (tetrahydrofuran) to be consistent with that observed previously for mixed solvents; ion pair interactions predominated. However, in polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethyl formamide, these polymers behave as classic polyelectrolytes even at sulfonate levels below 2 mol %. The behavior of the S-PS acids is similar to that observed for the metal salts. To a first approximation these two behaviors, ion pair association and polyelectrolyte behavior, are dependent on solvent polarity. In some cases it is possible to induce polyelectrolyte behavior in a S-PS/solvent combination exhibiting ion pair interactions by the addition of very low levels of a polar cosolvent, such as water. These results again demonstrate the selectivity of the solvent-sulfonate interactions.     

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．     

Fluorescence and light-scattering studies on the formation of stable colloidal nanoparticles made of sodium sulfonated polystyrene ionomers

The lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomer is only soluble in some organic solvents, such as toluene and tetrahydrofurnan (THF). The mixture of its organic solution with water normally leads to macroscopic phase separation, namely precipitation. In this study, using the steady-state fluorescence, the nonradiative energy transfer and dynamic laser light scattering, we demonstrate that the sulfonated polystyrene ionomers can form stable colloidal nanoparticles if the THF solution of the ionomers is dropwisely added into an excessive amount of water, or vice verse, water is added in a dropwise fashion into the dilute ionomer THF solution under ultrasonification or fast stirring. The hydrophobic core made of the polystyrene backbone chains is stabilized by the ionic groups on the particle surface. Such formed stable nanoparticles have a relatively narrow size distribution with an average diameter in the range of 5–12 nm, depending on the degree of sulfonation, the initial concentration of the ionomer THF solution, and the mixing order. This study shows another way to prepare surfactant-free polystyrene nanoparticles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1593–1599, 1997     

PBMA-b-PSt磺化嵌段离聚体在DMF溶液中的聚集行为

采用激基缔合物荧光光谱法研究了轻度磺化聚甲基丙烯酸丁酯－b－聚苯乙烯（PBMA-b－PSt）嵌段离聚体在极性溶剂N，N－二甲基甲酰胺（DMF）溶液中的聚集行为；发现嵌段离聚体的磺化度和浓度强烈影响溶液中聚合物链的聚集态结构，不同的磺化度样品具有不同的临界聚集浓度；随磺化度增加，聚合物链缠绕密集，形成具有多苯环的聚集体，而且当磺化度为摩尔分数x＝3．59％时，荧光发射光谱最大发射峰波长出现最大红移，临界聚集浓度最低，说明最容易形成多苯环聚集体，该磺化点可以认为是磺化聚甲基丙烯酸丁酯－b－聚苯乙烯体现离聚体行为和聚电解质行为的临界磺化度。     

SAXS study on ionic aggregates of styrene‐isoprene‐sulfonated isoprene terpolymer ionomer

The small‐angle X‐ray scattering profile of styrene‐isoprene‐sulfonated isoprene terpolymer ionomers was studied to clarify the structure of ionic aggregates at ambient temperature as a function of the degree of neutralization of Na or Mg cations. An ionic cluster peak was observed for ionomers with a degree of neutralization greater than 25%. The ionic cluster peak was analyzed by the modified hard sphere model proposed by Yarusso and Cooper [Macromolecules, 1983, 16, 1871], and the size of the ion cluster, the closest approach distance between the clusters, and the average system volume per ion cluster were evaluated by a curve‐fitting method. The size of the ion clusters of the ionomer with monovalent Na cation increased with the degree of neutralization, but for divalent Mg cation slightly changed. The number of ion clusters of the styrene‐isoprene‐sulfonated isoprene ionomer with Na and Mg cations characteristically increased with the neutralization. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1307–1311, 2000     

Self-organization of sulfopolystyrene ionomers in solutions: Dependence on the polarity of the solution and the content of ionogenic groups in chains

The self-organization of ionomers of sulfonated polystyrene containing different amounts of SO₃Na ionogenic groups (0.5, 1.35, and 2.6 mol %) in three solvents (benzene, toluene, and THF) is studied via the methods of neutron scattering. It is shown that, in toluene, ionogenic groups form “effective” chains of up to 10–20 macromolecules owing to aggregation. In benzene, chains of both the PS precursor and ionomers are surrounded by volume solvate shells in the form of ∼4-nm-dia tubes that hamper interaction between ionomers via ionogenic groups. The tendency of ionomer chains toward aggregation in benzene is enhanced as the content of polar groups in chains is increased to 2.6 mol %. The diameter of solvate shells around chains decreases to ∼1 nm, and chains associate to form denser structures. In this case, the degree of integration of macromolecules turns out to be smaller than that in toluene. In THF, the processes of solvation and structuring of PS precursor chains are well defined and compete with tendencies toward association through ionogenic groups in solutions of ionomers. The formation of developed supramolecular structures in THF is hindered by the shielding of the potentials of interaction between ion pairs because of a high dielectric constant of the solvent.     

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.     

红外光谱法研究磺化间规聚苯乙烯离聚物离子间相互作用

采用红外光谱法研究了不同金属阳离子及水合作用对磺化间规聚苯乙烯 (SsPS)离聚物阴、阳离子间相互作用的影响 .实验结果表明 :离间相互作用的强弱可通过红外光谱表现出来 ,SsPS离聚物中磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 )的红外吸收谱带与金属阳离子的性质及离聚物所处的环境有关 .在干燥状态下 ,SsPS离聚物中磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 )由于受到金属阳离子静电场作用的影响 ,S—O键被极化而使其对称伸缩振动和不对称伸缩振动吸收峰移向高波数 ,移动的幅度与金属阳离子的性质有关 .离聚物吸水后 ,由于水合作用的影响 ,金属阳离子的极化作用减弱 ,因而使S—O键相应的对称伸缩振动和不对称伸缩振动吸收谱带移向低波数 .对于未中和的磺化间规聚苯乙烯 (SsPS H)样品 ,水合作用会使磺酸基团部分离解 ,产生磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 ) .在干燥状态下 ,磺酸基团仍以—SO3H形式存在 ,红外谱图上出现—SO3H基团的特征吸收     

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.     

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     

磺化聚苯醚离聚体的合成及溶液性质研究

合成一系列磺化度的磺化PPO(S-PPO),以磺化度为20.9mol％的S-PPO的钠盐和锂盐为代表,研究其在四氢呋喃/甲醇混合溶剂中的离聚体行为。结果表明,S-PPO离聚体在溶液中的链聚集状态与聚合物浓度、反离子半径和温度密切相关。     

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.     

Fluorescence studies of the kinetics of processes in polymers

Using a stopped-flow apparatus with fluorescence detection we followed the expansion of poly(methacrylic acid) after a pH jump, the enhancement of fluorescence of Auramine O after association with poly(methacrylic acid), the counterion exchange in ionomer solutions and the dependence of the rate of inter-polymer reactions on the polymer chainlength. Fluorescence was also used to follow the unfolding of collapsed chains in bulk polymers and counterion diffusion in bulk ionomers.     

Ionic aggregate structure in ionomer melts: effect of molecular architecture on aggregates and the ionomer peak

We perform a comprehensive set of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of ionomer melts with varying polymer architectures and compare the results to experiments in order to understand ionic aggregation on a molecular level. The model ionomers contain periodically or randomly spaced charged beads, placed either within or pendant to the polymer backbone, with the counterions treated explicitly. The ionic aggregate structure was determined as a function of the spacing of charged beads and also depends on whether the charged beads are in the polymer backbone or pendant to the backbone. The low wavevector ionomer peak in the counterion scattering is observed for all systems, and it is sharpest for ionomers with periodically spaced pendant charged beads with a large spacing between charged beads. Changing to a random or a shorter spacing moves the peak to lower wavevector. We present new experimental X-ray scattering data on Na(+)-neutralized poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) ionomers that show the same two trends in the ionomer peak, for similarly structured ionomers. The order within and between aggregates, and how this relates to various models used to fit the ionomer peak, is quantified and discussed.     

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.     

溶剂极性对聚苯醚离聚体微乳液相反转影响的研究

以乙酰磺酸为磺化剂制备了磺化度为 3%～ 1 7% (摩尔比 )的磺化聚苯醚 (SPPO)。在一定的温度和搅拌速度下 ,加水将SPPO离聚体溶液乳化成水包油的稳定水基微乳液。用电导率、粘度、表面张力等表征了SPPO离聚体溶液在微乳化过程中的相反转 ,研究了溶剂的极性对SPPO微乳化过程相反转的影响。     

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.