(591j) Solution Thermodynamics of Amphiphilic Polymers in Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs), organic salts that are fluid at ambient conditions, are a novel class of compounds with a combinatorially great chemical diversity and unique properties. The very low volatility and high thermal and chemical stability that many ILs exhibit, render them promising as solvents. We consider amphiphilic polymer + ionic liquid + water systems, where we investigate using isothermal titration calorimetry the thermodynamics (dilution/dissolution, association) and underlying interactions between polymer and ionic liquid and also between ionic liquid and water, and the amphiphilic polymer solution properties at different solvent conditions (ionic liquid - water ratios). This research informs applications of ionic liquids in products formulated with functional polymers.