Efficient Formation of Multicomponent Ion Gels by Stepwise Self-Assembly of Thermoresponsive ABC Triblock Terpolymers

The gelation behavior of a poly(ethylene-\textit{alt}-propylene)-$b$-poly(ethylene oxide)-$b$-poly($N$-isopropyl acrylamide) (PON) triblock terpolymer in room-temperature ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF$_{\mathrm{4}}$]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM] [TFSI]), has been studied by rheology over the concentration range 1-10 wt.{\%}. PON terpolymers have proven better gelation efficiency and mechanical properties (modulus) in hydrogels. Physical ion gels from PON terpolymers in [BMIM][BF$_{\mathrm{4}}$] and [EMIM][TFSI] have been studied to determine improvements in gelation efficiency and mechanical properties (modulus) for triblock terpolymers. A two-compartment micellar network is believed to result from the stepwise gelation of PON terpolymers involving micellization at elevated temperatures and gelation at lower temperatures.