A metal-containing ionic liquid (MCIL)-based, uncharged-charged block copolymer (BCP) platform is presented that exhibits periodic, phase-separated microstructures in the neat state and reversibly coordinates protic small molecules with an accompanying color change. This MCIL-based BCP system was made by sequential RAFT polymerization of first butyl methacrylate and then a styrenic phosphonium IL monomer with a cobalt(II) bis(salicylate) anion. Short BCPs of this system ranging from 35-b-35 to 60-b-10 (uncharged-b-charged block ratios) show a range of ordered nanostructures (including lamellar (LAM), columnar hexagonal (HEX), and gyroid (GYR) by small-angle X-ray scattering after annealing in their neat states. These MCIL-based BCPs were also found to reversibly coordinate to H2O and small alcohols in their vapor form with a noticeable color change. The design, synthesis, and morphological behavior of these new MCIL-based BCPs will be discussed, as well the effect of reversible protic solvent coordination on their solid-state morphologies.

Metal-containing ionic liquid-based, uncharged-charged diblock copolymers that form ordered, phase-separated microstructures and reversibly coordinate small protic molecules

254th National Meeting (2017)

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