Recently, our group has investigated the use of sphere-forming AB and ABA blends of thermoplastic elastomer block copolymers as composite ionic liquid membranes. These ion gels, which employed the strategic use of vitrified, hydrophobic spherical cores (A block) and a hydrophilic and elastic coronal B block to form a highly uniform tethered micellar network, were melt processed and then swollen in room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) to form a composite membrane with good mechanical properties and potential for gas transport applications. However, small flaws or tears in the material easily caused catastrophic failure of the membrane when a mechanical stress was applied. Previously, our group has had success toughening hydrogels by installing an elastic secondary network via catalytic aqueous phase chemistry while the gels were swollen to equilibrium. This study investigates the use of photoactive polymer chains to install a protective secondary network in an ion gel system in order to increase toughness and reduce potential failure of the material when subject to mechanical stress.

Toughening block copolymer ion gels via installation of a photocoupled secondary network

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.