What Determines the Glass Temperature and dc-Conductivity in Imidazolium-Polymerized Ionic Liquids with a Polythiophene Backbone?

Polymerized and Colloidal Ionic Liquids─Syntheses and Applications

The breadth and importance of polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) are steadily expanding, and this review updates advances and trends in syntheses, properties, and applications over the past five to six years. We begin with an historical overview of the genesis and growth of the PIL field as a subset of materials science. The genesis of ionic liquids (ILs) over nano to meso length-scales exhibiting 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D topologies defines colloidal ionic liquids, CILs, which compose a subclass of PILs and provide a synthetic bridge between IL monomers (ILMs) and micro to macro-scale PIL materials. The second focus of this review addresses design and syntheses of ILMs and their polymerization reactions to yield PILs and PIL-based materials. A burgeoning diversity of ILMs reflects increasing use of nonimidazolium nuclei and an expanding use of step-growth chemistries in synthesizing PIL materials. Radical chain polymerization remains a primary method of making PILs and reflects an increasing use of controlled polymerization methods. Step-growth chemistries used in creating some CILs utilize extensive cross-linking. This cross-linking is enabled by incorporating reactive functionalities in CILs and PILs, and some of these CILs and PILs may be viewed as exotic cross-linking agents. The third part of this update focuses upon some advances in key properties, including molecular weight, thermal properties, rheology, ion transport, self-healing, and stimuli-responsiveness. Glass transitions, critical solution temperatures, and liquidity are key thermal properties that tie to PIL rheology and viscoelasticity. These properties in turn modulate mechanical properties and ion transport, which are foundational in increasing applications of PILs. Cross-linking in gelation and ionogels and reversible step-growth chemistries are essential for self-healing PILs. Stimuli-responsiveness distinguishes PILs from many other classes of polymers, and it emphasizes the importance of segmentally controlling and tuning solvation in CILs and PILs. The fourth part of this review addresses development of applications, and the diverse scope of such applications supports the increasing importance of PILs in materials science. Adhesion applications are supported by ionogel properties, especially cross-linking and solvation tunable interactions with adjacent phases. Antimicrobial and antifouling applications are consequences of the cationic nature of PILs. Similarly, emulsion and dispersion applications rely on tunable solvation of functional groups and on how such groups interact with continuous phases and substrates. Catalysis is another significant application, and this is an historical tie between ILs and PILs. This component also provides a connection to diverse and porous carbon phases templated by PILs that are catalysts or serve as supports for catalysts. Devices, including sensors and actuators, also rely on solvation tuning and stimuli-responsiveness that include photo and electrochemical stimuli. We conclude our view of applications with 3D printing. The largest components of these applications are energy related and include developments for supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells. We conclude with our vision of how PIL development will evolve over the next decade.

Deciphering the Effect of Microstructural Modification in Sodium Alginate-Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte by Unlike Anions

Microstructure modification in sodium alginate (NaAlg)-based solid polymer electrolytes by the perchlorate (ClO4-) and acetate (CH3COO-) anions of sodium salts has been reported. ClO4- participates in the structure-breaking effect via inter/intramolecular hydrogen bond breaking, while CH3COO- changes the amorphous phase, as evident from X-ray diffraction studies. The larger size and negative charge delocalization of ClO4- have a plasticizing effect, resulting in a lower glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to CH3COO-. Decomposition temperature is strongly dependent on the type of anion. Scanning electron microscopy images showed divergent modifications in the surface morphology in both electrolyte systems, with variations in salt content. The mechanical properties of the NaAlg-NaClO4 electrolyte systems are better than those of the NaAlg-CH3 COONa system, indicating weak interactions in the latter. Although most of the studies focus on the cation influence on conductivity, the interaction of the anion and its size certainly have an influence on the properties of solid polymer electrolytes, which will be of interest in the near future for sodium ion-based electrolytes in energy storage devices.

Conductivity of Ionic Liquids In the Bulk and during Infiltration in Nanopores

The conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs) in nanopores is essential when considering their application as materials for energy. However, no consensus has been reached about the influence of confinement on the mobility of the ions. A series of ILs bearing the same cation, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([BMIM]+), and six different anions ([Cl]-, [Br]-, [I]-, [BF4]-, [PF6]-, and [TFSI]-) with radii from 0.168 to 0.326 nm were investigated with respect to their self-assembly, the thermodynamics, and the ionic conductivity in the bulk, during flow and under confinement in cylindrical nanopores with sizes in the range from 400 to 25 nm. In the bulk, the [BMIM]+[X]- exhibits weak ordering as a result of cation-anion correlations (charge alteration peak), and nanophase separation of polar/apolar groups. Liquid-to-glass temperatures were found to differ by ∼50 K, their viscosities by a factor of ∼270, and their conductivities by a factor of 24 (all at a temperature of 303 K). Electrostatic interactions were largely responsible for variations in the glass temperature, the viscosity, and the conductivity. Confined ILs behave differently from the bulk. The majority of ILs in the bulk were prone to crystallization during heating but were unable to crystallize in the smaller pores. Changes in dc-conductivity were used as markers of the phase state. This allowed the construction of the effective phase diagrams under confinement. The ILs penetrate the pores with an effective viscosity of the order of their viscosity in their bulk state. However, within the pores the dc-conductivity was reduced relative to bulk, indicating the immobilization of ions at the pore walls. Hydrophobization of the pore walls by hexamethyldisilazane could partially restore the conductivity. ILs are model systems where the phase state and ion mobility can be controlled by confinement.

Modification of polylactide by poly(ionic liquid)-b-polylactide copolymer and bio-based ionomers: Excellent toughness, transparency and antibacterial property

Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most attractive bioplastics as it can be produced from nontoxic renewable feedstock. However, its inherently poor toughness greatly limits its large-scale application. Cost-effectively toughening PLA without sacrificing its transparency remains a big challenge. We herein prepared an imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid)-b-PLA copolymer (ILA) and ionomers as toughening agent for PLA through an integrative approach including continuous-monomer-feeding copolymerization, quaternization reaction, ion exchange and inter-ionomers blending. By blending PLA with the ILA and ionomers, we successfully obtained PLA materials with combined features including high toughness, good transparency and antibacterial properties. The effects of regulated ionomer composition and ILA compatibilizer on phase morphology, mechanical properties and transparency of the blends were systematically studied. The optimum formulation (PLA/E12/ILA 60/40/5) shows an impressive transmittance of 89-93 %, high impact strength of 45 kJ/m² and elongation at break at 170 %, which are about 17 and 24 times that of pure PLA, respectively. More interestingly, the presence of imidazolium cation and anion groups endows the blends with attractive antibacterial properties. Ion exchange between ILA copolymer and the imidazolium-containing ionomeric system leads to a synergistic effect of compatibilization and efficient toughening, providing a new strategy for develop high performance PLA materials.

Recent advances in poly(ionic liquid)s for biomedical application

Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) are polymers containing ions in their side-chain or backbone, and the designability and outstanding physicochemical properties of PILs have attracted widespread attention from researchers. PILs have specific characteristics, including negligible vapor pressure, high thermal and chemical stability, non-flammability, and self-assembly capabilities. PILs can be well combined with advanced analytical instruments and technology and have made outstanding contributions to the development of biomedicine aiding in the continuous advancement of science and technology. Here we reviewed the advances of PILs in the biomedical field in the past five years with a focus on applications in proteomics, drug delivery, and development. This paper aims to engage pharmaceutical and biomedical scientists to full understand PILs and accelerate the progress from laboratory research to industrialization.

Cationic Diazapentacenium Polymers Made in a Sequence of CN Cross Coupling Polymerization and Acid-Mediated Postpolymerization Cyclization

Polycationic stepladder polymers containing 5,12-diazapentacenium bistriflate repeat units are made in a two-step sequence of a carbon-nitrogen cross coupling polymerization and subsequent postpolymerization cyclization. The deeply colored products show a rather weak conjugative interaction between the dicationic diazapentacenium repeat units along the polymer chains.