Aggregation behaviour of monosulfonated telechelic ionomers

The behaviour of monosulfonated telechelic polystyrene with various molar m asses and different counterions has been investigated using static and dyna mic light scattering. For concentrations above the critical micelle concent ration, free unimers associate to form well-defined star-shaped micelles. T he number of polystyrene chains per micelle (n(ag)) is independent of the c oncentration and the type of counterion; n(ag) decreases with decreasing mo lar mass of the polystyrene and increasing polarity of the solvent. The mic elles behave like covalently bonded star polystyrene from a structural, dyn amic and thermodynamic point of view. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry .