ABSTRACT
Polymers can be modified by the introduction of ionic groups [1]. The ionic polymers, also called ionomers, offer great potential in a variety of applications. Ionic rubbers are mostly prepared by metal ion neutralization of acid functionalized rubbers, such as carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber, carboxylated polybutadiene rubber, and carboxylated nitrile rubber [2-5]. Ionic rubbers under ambient conditions show moderate to high tensile and tear strength and high elongation. The ionic crosslinks are thermolabile and, thus, the materials can be processed just as thermoplastics are processed [6).
