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Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
Nonsolvent annealing polymer films with ionic liquids.
Lian R Hutchings1, Craig J R Douglas, Catherine L Rhodes
1Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Site, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 11, 2010
Summary
Ionic liquids (ILs) enable nonsolvent annealing of polymer films, directing self-assembly and influencing interfacial structure. Swelling and interfacial width changes were observed, with ILs also controlling polymer distribution in blends.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- Neutron reflectometry is a powerful technique for probing thin film interfaces.
- Ionic liquids (ILs) offer unique solvation properties for polymer processing.
- Nonsolvent annealing can be used to control polymer self-assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interface structure and swelling of polymer films annealed in ionic liquids.
- To explore the use of ILs as a nonsolvent annealing medium for polymer self-assembly.
- To understand the influence of ILs on the distribution of functionalized polymers in blends.
Main Methods:
- Neutron reflectometry was used to analyze thin polymer films.
- Polymer films were annealed in contact with various 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids.
- The swelling, interfacial width, and polymer distribution were quantified.
Main Results:
- Polymer films exhibited swelling up to 10% and increased interfacial width (0.9 nm to ~3 nm) when annealed in ILs.
- A decrease in interfacial width with increasing temperature was observed for one polymer/IL pair, indicating LCST behavior.
- Ionic liquids promoted adsorption of dPS-COOH at the film/IL interface and desorption at the film/silicon-oxide interface.
- The rate of desorption correlated with IL anion species, suggesting polymer plasticization by IL penetration.
Conclusions:
- Ionic liquids can serve as effective nonsolvent annealing media for directing polymer self-assembly.
- The swelling and interfacial properties of polymer films are modulated by ILs.
- ILs significantly influence the interfacial behavior of functionalized polymers in blends, with anion type playing a key role.
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