Ionic Liquids in Polymer Composites: Enhancing Performance and Functionality

Ionic Liquids have shown new developments in materials chemistry research. ILs combined with polymers allow the development of smart materials and the fabrication of high-performance polymer composites. ILs are formed from different combinations of anions and cations, providing infinite possibilities for tuning their properties. Nanofillers like carbon nanotubes and graphene often need surface modification to improve dispersion in polymer matrices, as they tend to aggregate. ILs can help disperse these fillers by reducing inter-molecular interaction. ILs interact with carbon nanofillers via carbon- π and π-π interactions with the graphitic structures. This builds a strong interface between the filler and polymer. IL applications in polymers are expanding into areas like vulcanization accelerators, dispersants, plasticizers, and modifiers to improve membrane selectivity and electrolytes. Porus polymers with IL monomers may enable new battery/fuel cell membranes, field-responsive gels, etc. Due to the sensitivity of the ionic group to stimuli, polymer-supported ILs show significant early applications in areas like catalysis, nanofluids, and proton conduction. More development is expected around stabilizing dispersions, plasticization, and interpenetrating networks. Solvent-free nanofluids utilizing IL-functionalized surfaces to generate supra-molecular ILs may proliferate. These could produce new resin classes and hybrid materials. Anti-static agents are essential additives for plastics to avoid issues like sparking, dust, buildup, and fire hazards. Anti-static agents work through various mechanisms, allowing flexibility to tune their performance for different applications and meet industry standards. ILs have properties like electric conductivity, viscosity reduction, lubrication, and corrosion inhibition that make them promising anti-static polymer additives. Using lower levels of ionic liquids can minimize costs and environmental impacts while still enhancing polymer properties. Recent literature shows ionic liquids being increasingly utilized in elastomer composites in various roles, including dispersants fillers, crosslinkers, catalysts, and solvents. Their uses will likely continue rising.

Keywords: Ionic liquids (ILs), Nanofillers, Polymer composites, Smart materials.