Supramolecular Ionic Networks: Properties
Résumé
Non-covalent ionic interactions are present in all elements of nature and can be used adequately to generate a wide variety of supramolecular assemblies. In recent years, a lot of scientists have been studying and exploring the ability to utilize ionic interactions to build controlled polymeric networks and to tailor desirable properties. The reversibility and low energy bonding of these interactions bring about additional features compared to conventional covalent polymers, which potentially lead to new properties such as improved processing, self-healing behaviour and stimuli responsiveness. In spite of these advantages, a basic physical–chemical characterization of supramolecular ionic networks is still far from complete. This is because obtaining an overall picture of the structure, the dynamics, and the properties of these networks is a key step to their use as high-performance materials. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge on different characterizations (e.g. morphology, thermal, electrical, rheological, and self-healing) of supramolecular ionic networks and attempts to derive consistent relations between their structure, dynamics, and properties. Various case studies are discussed in this chapter, using them as examples in order to elucidate their structure–property relation.