title: Poly(ionic liquid) superabsorbent for polar organic solvents.
abstract: A simple, polymerized ionic liquid (poly(IL)) based on methylimidazolium cations tethered to a polystyrene backbone exhibits superabsorbent behavior toward polar organic solvents, most notably propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), wherein the poly(IL) was observed to swell more than 390 and 200 times (w/w) its original mass, yet absorbs negligible quantities of water, hexanes, and other solvents, many of which were miscible with the IL monomer. Although solubility parameters and dielectric constants are typically used to rationalize such behaviors, we find that poly(IL)-solvent compatibility is most clearly correlated to solvent dipole moment. Poly(IL) superabsorbency is not reliant upon the addition of a cross-linking agent.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: W Jeffrey
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Kelsey L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Terrill
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Spenser S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Jeannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0336, United States.
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Belmore
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0203, United States.
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bara
keywords: absorbance; imidazolium; ionic liquid; polar organic solvents; polymer; swelling