Macromolecules, Vol.49, No.16, 6075-6083, 2016
Ionic Liquids Containing Block Copolymer Based Supramolecules
Block copolymer (BCP)-based supramolecules provide a versatile strategy to generate functional materials using noncovalent bond between small molecules and BCPs. Here, we report supramolecules composed of phenol-containing ionic liquids (ILs) hydrogen bonded to BCP, polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl-pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP). IL-containing supramolecules exhibit ordered structures in a wide range of IL loading and chemistry. Rheological behaviors and nanostructures of IL-containing supramolecules can be tuned by controlling the IL loading without losing ordered structure. The hydrogen bonds and nanostructures can be retained in a wide range of temperatures with different IL chemistry. Supramolecules provide a diverse platform toward IL materials with ordered structure and tunable properties with high tolerance of thermal treatment and processing.