title: Charge generation in low-polarity solvents: poly(ionic liquid)-functionalized particles.
abstract: We present a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of highly charged poly(ionic liquid)-functionalized particles in low-polarity solvents. A series of cationic liquid monomers consisting of a tetraalkyl ammonium cation and a fluorinated tetrakis[phenyl] borate anion linked, via a C3-alkyl chain, to a methacrylate unit were synthesized. The addition of this ionic monomer to a conventional dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid at 80 °C in a mixed dodecane/hexane solvent yielded spherical, highly monodisperse particles with mean diameters of between ~50 and 2500 nm with high electrophoretic mobility and stability in nonpolar solvents such as dodecane. The surface potential in dodecane could be adjusted in the range from 0 to 180 ± 9 mV by altering the ratio of ionic monomer to methacrylate monomers. The particles open up new opportunities for the electrostatic assembly of nanoparticles and organized structures in nonpolar environments.
authors: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: Ghulam
authors: G
authors: Hussain
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Robinson
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Bartlett
mesh_terms: D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D052578:Ionic Liquids; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents