Cobalt-mediated radical polymerization for the precision design of novel poly(ionic liquid) copolymers in aqueous media

Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) have emerged as a special class of polyelectrolyte materials, featuring tunable solubility, high ionic conductivity, and a broad range of glass transition temperatures. Due to their specific properties emanating from the ionic liquid (IL) units and their intrinsic polymeric nature, PILs find potential applications in various areas, such as analytical chemistry, biotechnology, gas separation, dispersants, solid ionic conductors for energy, catalysis, etc. In recent years, controlled radical polymerization (CRP) techniques have been applied to the synthesis of structurally well-defined PILs, with control attained over molar mass, dispersity, and end-group fidelity. In this poster, we will report on the implementation of cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) technique for the precision synthesis of unprecedented PILs (co)polymers. We will discuss how an organocobalt complex can efficiently control the growth of vinyl imidazolium chains and lead to PILs with predicted molar masses and low polydispersities under mild experimental conditions, thus at low temperature and using water as a green polymerization medium. The huge potential of this system will be highlighted by describing the one-pot synthesis of all vinyl imidazolium-based block copolymers in aqueous media. This CMRP is unique for providing well-defined vinyl imidazolium based-copolymers for advanced PILs applications.