Ion segregation in an ionic liquid confined within chitosan based chemical ionogels

Abstract

Ionogels based on in situ crosslinking of chitosan in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIm Ac) are synthesized, and studied from macroscopic properties to preferred interactions at the host matrix/EMIm Ac interface. It is highlighted that the imidazolium cations of the ionic liquid (IL) show preferred interactions with the chitosan host matrix. This exemplifies how the confinement of ILs, through an interface effect, can induce the breakdown of aggregated regions found systematically in bulk ILs and can increase the fragility of ILs. These biopolymer based ionogels could find application as biosensors and in the field of energy.