A comprehensive review of the structures and properties of ionic polymeric materials

Abstract

Dynamic materials, which include ionic polymeric materials, contain specific bonds or interactions that can reversibly break and reform under certain stimuli or conditions. Among them, ionic polymeric materials leverage the dynamic and reversible nature of electrostatic interactions. Ionic motifs endow the materials with appealing stimuli-responsive properties such as shape-memory, self-healing or mechanical energy dissipation, thereby offering the possibilities to face current challenges such as recycling, fatigue resistance or material reinforcement. The present review first introduces the general concept of dynamic materials between the distinction of associative and dissociative dynamic networks in order to enlighten the unique properties of ionic polymeric materials. A particular emphasis is placed on the understanding of mechanistic principles controlling these reversible mechanisms. The latest developments in the field of ionic polymeric materials, including ionomer, polyelectrolyte and ionic hydrogel subclasses are further exhibited. After presenting the structure–property relationships and characteristics of recent ionic polymeric materials, the discussion extends to an overview of the applications of such systems.