Thermodynamics of Ionic Liquid Polymer Solutions

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 ionic liquid + polymer + water systems, where we investigate using isothermal titration calorimetry the interactions between ionic liquid and water and between ionic liquid and polymer, and also the polymer phase behavior under different solvent conditions.  This research supports and guides applications of ionic liquids in formulated or functional products.