Crosslinker Interaction Chemistry

In each of the three types of structures, ionic bonds are the main interactions that form the network but other interactions cannot be excluded. Indeed, secondary interactions, such as formation of hydrogen bridges and hydrophobic interactions, cannot be totally rxiled out. 

Ionic crosslinking is a simple and mild procedure. In contrast to covalent crosslinking, no axixillary molecxiles such as catalysts are required [60]. This is of great interest 

Crosslinking reactions are mainly influenced by the size of the crosslinker. The smaller the molecular size of the crosshnker, the faster is the crosslinking reaction, since its diffusion is easier [64]. 

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This is a theoretical study on the structure and modulus of a composite polymeric network formed by two intermeshing co-continuous networks of different chemistry, which interact on a molecular level. The rigidity of this elastomer is assumed to increase with the number density of chemical crosslinks and trapped entanglements in the system. The latter quantity is estimated from the relative concentration of the individual components and their ability to entangle in the unmixed state. The equilibrium elasticity modulus is then calculated for both the cases of a simultaneous and sequential interpenetrating polymer network. 

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