Conformational properties of chains and supramolecular structures of sulfonated polystyrene ionomers in D-benzene

• Published in: Polymer Science. Series A Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 228 - 234
• Main Authors: Lebedev, V. T., Orlova, D. N., Mel’nikov, A. B., Vinogradova, L. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.03.2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Center of gravity; Chains (polymeric); Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Gaussian; Ionomers; Polymer Sciences; Polystyrene resins; Scattering; Segments; Sodium; Solutions; Polymer Science Series; Segmental Scale; Ionogenic Group; Gaussian Chain; Conformational Property
• ISSN: 0965-545X; 1757-1820; 1555-6107
• DOI: 10.1134/S0965545X10030028

The method of small-angle cold-neutron scattering is used to study the conformational properties of chains of sulfonated polystyrene-based ionomers containing different amounts of sodium sulfonate groups SO 3 Na (0.5, 1.35, and 2.6 mol %) and the character of their self-organization in D -benzene. An analysis of the momentum transfer dependence of scattering intensity shows that the conformation of ionomer chains remains close to the Gaussian conformation, regardless of the content of ionogenic groups. It is found that, in local portions within a segment, the rigidity of chains increases owing to formation of physical crosslinks between chains arising from electrostatic interactions of ionogenic groups. Interchain interactions involving multiplets of ionogenic groups lead to the self-organization of ionomers into supramolecular structures (associates) that manifest themselves as Gaussian chains and include 13–18 macromolecules at moderate and high degrees of sulfonation of PS. When the centers of gravity approach each other at the distance of a diameter (40–70 nm), the associates come into contact and give rise to clusters.