Polydimethylsiloxane-based telechelic ionomers: synthesis and properties in solution

Lithium and zinc carboxylate-terminated telechelic oligodimethylsiloxanes with chain lengths of n=10-120 units were prepared. It was shown that neutralization of carboxy-terminated oligomers with LiOH almost does not affect their molecular mass distribution. Closed association was observed in dilute solutions of lithium carboxylate telechelics in toluene. This observation suggests that the system lies near the critical micelle concentration. Secondary association of micellar solutions, which leads to phase separation, was also observed. 20 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs