Dynamics and Solvation of Ionic Liquids with Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles

Dispersion and self-assembly of polymer-grafted nanoparticles have been utilized for diverse applications requiring enhanced thermo-mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites and solute transport and ion binding in thin films. One example of grafted particles in solution is the use of weak polyelectrolyte grafts which can form networks through hydrogen bondings. Our group works on designing polymer-grafted magnetic nanoparticles as active electrolytes where the chains interact with electrolytic media of ionic liquids. I will present two different systems with nonionic and ionic grafted chains and discuss the effect of ion-dipole and ionic interactions between polymer chains and ionic liquids on the conductivity and dynamic properties of ionic liquids. Anions and cations pertaining to the ionic liquid preferentially interact with the methyl groups of poly(methyl methacrylate) and with the sulfonated groups of poly(styrene sulfonate), respectively. These interactions can be used to mitigate the whole ionic conductivity and the free mobile counterion distribution in the copolymer-grafted nanoparticle-based electrolyte membranes. Adding solvent into grafted particle/ionic liquid mixtures enhances the conductivity of the system, suggesting that chain swelling influences the solvation of the ionic liquid. These findings showcase the importance of polymer-coupled dynamics and solvation of ionic liquids in hybrid electrolytes.