Effect of cosolvents on the self-assembly of a non-ionic polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide block copolymer in the protic ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate

The effect of water and methanol on the self-assembled structures formed by the polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide block copolymer Pluronic P123 in ethylammonium nitrate was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Two ternary phase diagrams were established. The addition of water had only a minor effect on the liquid crystal structures, however methanol had a significant effect, which was attributed to methanol being a good solvent for both the PEO and PPO blocks of the polymer. No lyotropic liquid crystal phases were retained when methanol reached 25 wt%. The phase behaviour did not change significantly over the temperature range from 25 to 45°C.