Ionomer

Ionomers also have unique morphological properties as the non-polar polymer backbone is energetically incompatible with the polar ionic groups.

As a result, the ionic groups in most ionomers will undergo microphase separation to form ionic-rich domains.

Commercial applications for ionomers include golf ball covers, semipermeable membranes, sealing tape and thermoplastic elastomers.

[1] Ionomer molecule: A macromolecule in which a small butsignificant proportion of the constitutional units have ionizableor ionic groups, or both.

However, as commercial manufacturers are reluctant to share their procedures, little is known about the exact conditions of the melt-mixing neutralization process other than that hydroxides are generally used to provide the metal cation.

Where dissolution of the acid copolymer is difficult, simply swelling the polymer in the solvent is sufficient, though dissolving is always preferred.

Surlyn is the brand name of an ionomer resin created by DuPont, a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid used as a coating and packaging material.