Interpenetrating polymer networks based on ionically crosslinked polymers: Reacidification and annealing as morphological variables

✍ Scribed by D. L. Siegfried; D. A. Thomas; L. H. Sperling

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1981
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 1018 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/app.1981.070260112

✦ Synopsis

A carboxylic elastomer based on butadiene, styrene, and methacrylic acid was polymerized and neutralized to form an ionomeric network I. Sequential IPNs were formed by synthesizing in situ polystyrene crosslinked with divinylbenzene as network 11. Annealing studies were carried out, with and without reacidification, to ascertain the role played by ionic crosslinks in influencing morphology and mechanical behavior. Finally, the product is reneutralized, resulting in a rearranged, relaxed structure. Ionic crosslinks in polymer I provide an in situ decrosslinking mechanism which permits molecular rearrangements to be induced. By annealing the material, a more cocontinuous phase morphology with concomitant modulus increases is attained. This investigation suggests an alternative method of inducing dual phase continuity in multipolymer combinations.