| Abstract: | This paper presents a discussion of four areas in which the interaction between organic polymers and metal species is of importance. The first section discusses the effect of metal ions in random ionomers in bulk, where the presence of ions strongly influence the mechanical properties. The next topic covers the influence of metal ions on aqueous solutions of block copolymers, and describes the morphogenic effects seen in such systems. The third section deals with the use of metal ions in non-aqueous solutions of block copolymers leading to the formation of microreactors with a high degree of size control. Finally, the attachment of organometallic species to the corona of block copolymer micelles in non-aqueous solution is discussed in terms of the effect of the metal on the micelle dimensions. |
