Term: interpenetrating polymer network (IPN)
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03117

Definition:
Polymer comprising two or more networks that are at least partially interlaced on a molecular scale but not covalently bonded to each other and cannot be separated unless chemical bonds are broken.

Note: A mixture of two or more preformed polymer networks is not an IPN.

Source: PAC, 2007, 79, 1801. 'Definitions of terms relating to the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks, and inorganic-organic hybrid materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)' on page 1814 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779101801)

Citation: 'interpenetrating polymer network (IPN)' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03117

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