Term: polyelectrolyte network
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.PT07223

Definition:
polymer network containing ionic or ionizable groups in a substantial fraction of its constitutional units.

Notes:
0) A @P04728@ @NT07562@ is sometimes called a crosslinked @P04728@. Use of the latter term is not recommended unless the @P04728@ @NT07562@ is formed by the @CT07136@ of existing @P04728@ macromolecules rather than by non-linear polymerisation.
1) In contrast to a @P04728@, a @P04728@ @NT07562@ is always insoluble, although swelling or contraction can occur when it is immersed in a solvent.
2) A @P04728@ @NT07562@ in contact with a solution of a @S05447@ is able to exchange @C01371@ (cations or anions) with ionic species in the solution and act as an @I03171@. Therefore, a @P04728@ @NT07562@ is frequently described as an @IT07155@.

Related Terms:
1) polyelectrolyte (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04728).
2) network (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.NT07562).
3) crosslinking (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.CT07136).
4) salt (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05447).
5) counter-ions (<em>in an ion exchanger, in colloid chemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01371).
6) ion exchanger (<em>in an ion exchanger, in colloid chemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03171).
7) ion-exchange polymer (<em>in an ion exchanger, in colloid chemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.IT07155).
8) polymer network (<em>in an ion exchanger, in colloid chemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04742).

Source: PAC, 2006, 78, 2067. 'Terminology of polymers containing ionizable or ionic groups and of polymers containing ions (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)' on page 2073 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200678112067)

Citation: 'polyelectrolyte network' 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.PT07223

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