(807b) Anionic and Cationic Poly(ionic liquid) Thermosets

Polymerized ionic liquids or poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) combine the chemistry of ionic liquids with polymer structure, adding new applications to macromolecular science.  Research interest is based both in new molecular architectures and nanostructures of PILs as well as property and function improvements. Structurally, PILs have been used to create novel nano- and meso- structures and pores. New applications include solid ionic conductors and electrolytes, carbon material precursor, porous polymers, selective sorbents and separation membranes.  Typical PIL synthesis strategies use conventional free-radical polymer chemistry with monomers featuring an ionic liquid side chain. Controlled/living radical polymerization strategies have gained interest recently because of their ability to develop control the nano/meso-scale molecular architecture for homopolymers and block copolymers.   

A different strategy with potentially vast applications is the creation of PIL thermosets. Recent work has shown unique multifunctional properties of constrained ionic thermoset networks, notably non-metallic magnetism.¹ Other significant applications are promised as effective ionic thermoset platforms are developed. Work by our lab² and others³ has demonstrated the effective incorporation of ionic liquids into thermosetting networks. We present two novel synthesis strategies for developing cationic and anionic PIL-thermoset networks.  The structural, multifunctional, and degradation properties of the resulting PIL thermosets will also be presented.

1.            Carrasco, P. M.; Tzounis, L.; Mompean, F. J.; Strati, K.; Georgopanos, P.; Garcia-Hernandez, M.; Stamm, M.; Cabañero, G.; Odriozola, I.; Avgeropoulos, A.; Garcia, I., Thermoset Magnetic Materials Based on Poly(ionic liquid)s Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2013, 46 (5), 1860-1867.

2.            Rahmathullah, M. A. M., Amutha Jeyarajasingam, Brian Merritt, Mark VanLandingham, Steven H. McKnight, and Giuseppe R. Palmese, Room Temperature Ionic Liquids as Thermally Latent Initiators for Polymerization of Epoxy Resins. Macromolecules 2009, 42 (9), 3219-221.

3.            Maka, H.; Spychaj, T.; Pilawka, R., Epoxy Resin/Ionic Liquid Systems: The Influence of Imidazolium Cation Size and Anion Type on Reactivity and Thermomechanical Properties. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2012, 51 (14), 5197-5206.