IONOMERS - 2 FORMATION MECHANISMS AND MODELS

The FT IR spectra for different degrees of neutralization of ionomers based on poly (ethylene-methacrylic acid) copolymer were obtained. They involve the alkali metal ions (such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium), the alkaline earth metal ions (such as magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium), and the transition metal ions (zinc and copper). Through the analysis of these spectra it can be deduced that there are two formation mechanisms and corresponding models for the ionomers: a cluster-multiplet model and a coordinated complex model. Also, it can be seen that the metal cations play an important role in the structure of an ionomer. By comparing the spectra of the metal ionomers at different temperatures as well as the spectra of the metal ionomers before and after water immersion, the existence of the two formation mechanisms and models can be inferred further.