Adv Polym Sci (2013) 262: 431–446
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_256
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 6 November 2013
Nanostructured Polymeric Ionic Liquids
Benjamin Kerscher, Fabian Schu ¨ ler, Anna-Katharina Appel,
Kristina Schadt, and Rolf Mu ¨ lhaupt
Abstract Nanophase separation, self-assembly, and molecular nanostructure design
of liquid polyelectrolytes afford new families of ionic liquids containing nanometerscaled compartments. Key intermediates of nanostructured polymeric ionic liquids
(nanoPILs) are PILs with micelle-like topologies, block copolymers and polymer
electrolytes dissolved in ionic liquids (ILs), and nanoparticle dispersions. In contrast
to micellar ILs, micelle-like nanoPILs consist of a nonionic hyperbranched polyether
core with low glass transition temperature and covalently attached alkyl-substituted
IL moieties in its periphery. Such hyperbranched nanoPILs are thermally stable
dispersants, nanoreactors, and transporters that are useful in nanoparticle synthesis
and polymer melt compounding. As new molecular carbon/polyelectrolyte composite
materials, tree-like nanoPILs are grafted onto functionalized graphene. Here, we
highlight recent progress made in nanoPIL science and engineering, illustrated by
selected examples.
Keywords Dispersion Á Hyperbranched polymer Á Ionic liquids Á Nanocomposite Á
Nanoparticles Á Polylelectrolyte Á Polymeric ionic liquids
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
2 Nanostructured Linear PILs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
3 Nanostructured Hyperbranched PILs with Micelle-Like Topologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
B. Kerscher, F. Schu ¨ler, A.-K. Appel, K. Schadt, and R. Mu ¨lhaupt (*)
Freiburg Materials Research Center, FMF, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry,
and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, FIT, of the
Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
e-mail: rolfmuelhaupt@web.de
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_256
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 6 November 2013
Nanostructured Polymeric Ionic Liquids
Benjamin Kerscher, Fabian Schu ¨ ler, Anna-Katharina Appel,
Kristina Schadt, and Rolf Mu ¨ lhaupt
Abstract Nanophase separation, self-assembly, and molecular nanostructure design
of liquid polyelectrolytes afford new families of ionic liquids containing nanometerscaled compartments. Key intermediates of nanostructured polymeric ionic liquids
(nanoPILs) are PILs with micelle-like topologies, block copolymers and polymer
electrolytes dissolved in ionic liquids (ILs), and nanoparticle dispersions. In contrast
to micellar ILs, micelle-like nanoPILs consist of a nonionic hyperbranched polyether
core with low glass transition temperature and covalently attached alkyl-substituted
IL moieties in its periphery. Such hyperbranched nanoPILs are thermally stable
dispersants, nanoreactors, and transporters that are useful in nanoparticle synthesis
and polymer melt compounding. As new molecular carbon/polyelectrolyte composite
materials, tree-like nanoPILs are grafted onto functionalized graphene. Here, we
highlight recent progress made in nanoPIL science and engineering, illustrated by
selected examples.
Keywords Dispersion Á Hyperbranched polymer Á Ionic liquids Á Nanocomposite Á
Nanoparticles Á Polylelectrolyte Á Polymeric ionic liquids
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
2 Nanostructured Linear PILs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
3 Nanostructured Hyperbranched PILs with Micelle-Like Topologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
B. Kerscher, F. Schu ¨ler, A.-K. Appel, K. Schadt, and R. Mu ¨lhaupt (*)
Freiburg Materials Research Center, FMF, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry,
and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, FIT, of the
Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
e-mail: rolfmuelhaupt@web.de