Dynamic Ionic Crosslinking Polypropylene-based Elastomers with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Performance

Xiao-Hui Mao; Wen-Lie Gaoguo; Li Pan; Bin Wang; Chun-Sheng Xiao; Yue-Sheng Li

doi:10.1007/s10118-025-3523-3

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Dynamic Ionic Crosslinking Polypropylene-based Elastomers with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Performance

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-02-13

- Dynamic Ionic Crosslinking Polypropylene-based Elastomers with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Performance
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 3, Pages: 696-705(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Tianjin Key Lab of Composite & Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  b.Key Lab of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Author bio：
  
  xiaocs@ciac.ac.cn (C.S.X.)
  ysli@tju.edu.cn (Y.S.L.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3523-3
  CLC：
- Received：20 November 2025，
  
  Revised：2025-12-10，
  
  Accepted：12 December 2025，
  
  Online First：02 February 2026，
  
  Published：15 March 2026
- Accepted：
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Mao, X. H.; Gaoguo, W. L.; Pan, L.; Wang, B.; Xiao, C. S.; Li, Y. S. Dynamic ionic crosslinking polypropylene-based elastomers with excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial performance. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 696–705

Xiao-Hui Mao, Wen-Lie Gaoguo, Li Pan, et al. Dynamic Ionic Crosslinking Polypropylene-based Elastomers with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Performance[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 696-705.
Mao, X. H.; Gaoguo, W. L.; Pan, L.; Wang, B.; Xiao, C. S.; Li, Y. S. Dynamic ionic crosslinking polypropylene-based elastomers with excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial performance. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 696–705 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3523-3.

Xiao-Hui Mao, Wen-Lie Gaoguo, Li Pan, et al. Dynamic Ionic Crosslinking Polypropylene-based Elastomers with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Performance[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 696-705. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3523-3.

摘要

Iodine-containing comonomers were introduced into a polypropylene backbone and functionalized

via

iodine group conversion to prepare various ionomers. The resulting ionic groups enhanced the thermal properties

melt rheology

and mechanical performance of the materials. The ionomers also exhibited excellent antibacterial efficacy against both

Escherichia coli

and

Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Polyolefins with intrinsic antimicrobial properties have attracted significant attention. In this study

various ion-functionalized polyolefins were successfully constructed by incorporating iodine-containing comonomers into a polypropylene backbone

followed by post-functionalization

strategies that utilized the conversion reactions of pre-introduced iodine groups. The introduction of ionic groups induced notable changes in both the thermal properties and the melt rheological behavior of the material. The dual crosslinking mechanism based on ionic interactions and polypropylene crystallization significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of the material. In addition

imidazolium-based ionomers exhibit highly effective antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative

Escherichia coli

and Gram-positive

Staphylococcus aureus

. Specifically

the P5-CCl

‒

sample achieved a sterilization rate of 99.99% against both bacteria and maintained a high bactericidal efficacy of above 90%

even after continuous supplementation with fresh bacterial solutions for 15 days. Consequently

this polypropylene-based ionomer

which combines excellent mechanical strength with outstanding antimicrobial performance

demonstrates substantial application potential in children's toys

food packaging

and medicine.

关键词

Keywords

references

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