From particles to stabilizing blocks – polymerized ionic liquids in aqueous heterophase polymerization

Abstract

Suspensions of polyvinylimidazolium salts with long alkyl chains (polymerized ionic liquids) are a new class of reactive electrostatic stabilizers for aqueous polymer dispersions with dual functions – as a reductant in a redox initiator system and as a colloidal stabilizer. Studying the properties of di- and triblock copolymer dispersions (with N-isopropyl acryl amide and/or hydrophobic monomers) made with these reactive suspensions reveals an interesting behavior which is described as the principle of relative hydrophilicity. Following this principle, the colloid chemical behavior of the polyvinylimidazolium salt block depends on the relative hydrophilicity in comparison with the other blocks.