title: Lower critical solution temperature behavior of linear polymers in ionic liquids and the corresponding volume phase transition of polymer gels.
abstract: Poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA) and its copolymers exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type phase separation in common hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone)imide ([C(2)mim][NTf2]). The turbidity measurements for PBzMA/IL mixed systems reveal that the LCST-type phase separation temperatures change significantly with the changes in the chemical structures of polymers and ILs. Moreover, cross-linked PBzMA gels show reversible and discontinuous volume phase transition in [C(2)mim][NTf2] with the changes in temperature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe