Synthesis and bulk physical properties of styrene‐alkoxide ionomers. Part II: Sodium salts of polystyrene‐co‐4‐hydroxymethylstyrene

Polystyrene‐co‐4‐hydroxymethylstyrene ionomers (2.5–19.4 mol%) were prepared from the partial chloromethylation of polystyrene, followed by esterification, saponification, and finally neutralization. The physical properties of the ionomers as well as their nonionic precursors were studied by calorimetry, torsion pendulum, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). SAXS and torsion pendulum studies show no evidence of extensive clustering.