| Abstract: | The ionic interaction of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer neutralized with Mn2+ or Cu2+ was studied by ESR spectroscopy to explore the local structure in the ionic aggregate. ESR spectra of the ethylene ionomer were obtained as functions of degree of neutralization and temperature. The existence of both isolated and aggregated cations in the ionomer was confirmed by ESR. In addition, the formation of a Cu2+?Cu2+ dimer structure similar to the crystal structure of copper acetate monohydrate was found in ethylene ionomer containing the Cu2+. Cation-cation interactions changed markedly around 70°C with increasing temperature, representing the onset of the motion of cations in the aggregated ionic structure. |
