Comments on the effect of cation, type on ionomer properties

Abstract

One of the important parameters that affects the properties of metal-neutralized ionomers is the nature of the cation used for neutralization. It is suggested that the electronic configuration of the cation, which in turn governs its degree of covalent character, is a very important parameter in determining many of the differences in the physical and rheological properties of a series of sulfonated polyisobutylene-ionomers neutralized with Ca++, K+ or Zn++. Similar considerations may also apply to other ionomers of different backbones and possibly to other cations of transition metals.