title: Stimuli responsive poly(1-[11-acryloylundecyl]-3-methyl-imidazolium bromide): dewetting and nanoparticle condensation phenomena.
abstract: A stimuli-responsive homopolymer poly(ILBr) is fabricated via a "two-phase" atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process, where ILBr stands for the reactive ionic liquid surfactant, 1-[11-acryloylundecyl]-3-methyl-imidazolium bromide. An extraordinarily wide molecular weight distribution (PDI = 6.0) was obtained by introducing the initiator (4-bromomethyl methyl benzoate) in a heterogeneous two-phase process. The molecular weight distribution of poly(ILBr) was characterized by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The resulting homopolymer was found to be surface active and stimuli responsive. Poly(ILBr) films coated on quartz exhibit stimuli-responsive dewetting after ion exchange of Br(-) by PF(6)(-). This dewetting phenomenon can be understood in chain segmental terms as a stimuli-induced structural relaxation and appears to be the first such reported stimuli-responsive polymeric dewetting. Titrating aqueous poly(ILBr) with aqueous bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate induces nanophase separation and results in the condensation of nanoparticles 30-60 nm in diameter.
authors.affiliation: Coating Research Institute, School of Engineering Technology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, United States.
authors.forename: Xiumin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashaduzzaman
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunitake
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crombez
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Texter
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mourey
mesh_terms: D057446:Hydrodynamics; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013500:Surface Tension; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D011108:Polymers