Viscoelastic properties of Ionomer Melt

Viscoelastic prperties of a model telechelic ionomer, i.e., a melt of non-polar polymers with a charge at each chain end along with neutralizing counterions, have been examined using molecular dynamics simulation. Equlibrium calculation of the loss modulus $G^{\prime\prime}(\omega)$ and storage modulus $G^\prime(\omega)$ shows plateau at lower temperatures when the systems are not relaxed. In this situation the specific heat ($C_v$) peak corresponds to the self-assembly of the system, at lower temperatures the specific heat begins to plateau. Similarities of the dynamic features found for telechelic melts with those observed in glass-forming liquids and entangled polymers have been shown. Furthremore, using an athermal 'probe', the properties of these materials is being distinctly classified as 'strong' glass or physical gels.