A Versatile Assembly Approach toward Multifunctional Supramolecular Poly(Ionic Liquid) Nanoporous Membranes in Water

Area of Science:

• Materials Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Integrating multiple components into nanoporous membranes in water is challenging due to water's interference with hydrogen bonding.
• Developing tailor-made porous architectures with specific properties and functionalities requires overcoming these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a strategy for direct integration of functional additives into hydrogen-bonding-assembled supramolecular poly(ionic liquid) nanoporous membranes (SPILMs) in aqueous environments.
• To demonstrate control over SPILM properties by tuning hydrogen-bonding interactions.
• To showcase the creation of multifunctional materials using this platform.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing water-involved hydrogen bonding to assemble supramolecular poly(ionic liquid) nanoporous membranes (SPILMs).
• Incorporating small additives into the SPILM structure by tuning hydrogen-bonding interactions between additives and homo-poly(ionic liquid).
• Characterizing the resulting membranes for pore size distribution, mechanical properties, and functional attributes.

Main Results:

• Achieved rational control over SPILM pore size distributions and mechanical properties by adjusting additive-homo-PIL H-bonding.
• Demonstrated the use of small dye additives and homo-PIL as inks to create colorful, light-emitting films.
• Films exhibited robust underwater adhesion, excellent stretchability, and flexibility on various substrates.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategy enables the creation of multifunctional and programmable materials in water.
• This platform offers a versatile approach for integrating diverse additive functionalities into SPILMs.
• The method overcomes challenges associated with H-bonding in aqueous environments for membrane fabrication.