Polymers containing between 3 and 15% by mass of ionogenic groups covalently bonded to the polymer backbone and whose properties are determined by interactions between ions are classified as a separate class of polymers called ionomers. Due to the peculiarities of the chemical structure and the ability of ionogenic groups to associate interaction, such polymers can be used in electrochemical production, in the production of fuel cells and in membrane technologies. To describe the microstructure of ionomers, morphological models are primarily used, such as the formation of multiplets with the participation of ionogens. In turn, multiplets, combining into ionic aggregates, form clusters. Polyurethane ionomers (PUI) can be considered promising in this class of polymers. The inclusion of ionic groups in the composition of PUI can be carried out by using polyol oligomers and isocyanate-containing compounds containing ionogenic groups in their structure in the synthesis of polyurethanes. As a result, PUI exhibits improved dispersibility in polar solvents, thermal stability and mechanical strength. In addition, the presence of ionic aggregates and clusters in the ionomer structure results in specific properties such as biocompatibility and diffusion properties. Based on tri(2-hydroxyethyl)amine (THEA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and orthophosphoric acid (OPA), organophosphorus polyols (PIP-PEO) were synthesized, which became the basis for obtaining ionomer polyurethanes (PIP-PEO-PU). It was found that not all orthophosphoric acid reacts with triethanolamine. Residual OPA molecules enter into associative interactions with PIP-PEO. The chemical structure features of branched organophosphorus ionomer polyols are the cause of the complex supramolecular organization of PIP-PEO-PU synthesized using them. Thus, the strength of PIP-PEO-PU depends on the molar content of ortho-phosphoric acid in the composition of PIP-PEO. The increase in the strength of polyurethanes as the molar ratio [OPA]:[THEA] increases during the synthesis of PIP-PEO to 5 may be due to the peculiarities of the construction of the structure of PIP-PEO-PU, in which associated molecules of ortho-phosphoric acid are present.
ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POLYOLS, ASSOCIATIVE INTERACTIONS, POLYURETHANE IONOMERS, SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE