Royal Society of Chemistry Polymerized Ionic Liquids: Volume 30 (Smart Materials Series)

Ionic liquids provide ion-rich media, which can control the system properties based on the size, charge, and shape of the ions. Owing to the versatility in their architecture, they can offer rare opportunities for designing smart materials which respond to external signals for specific applications. Polymerizing the ionic liquids can subtly arrange these mobile ions to control the material response. This is the basis of novel smart materials fabricated utilizing ionic liquids and particularly their corresponding ionic polymers. The two-volume set Smart Ionic Liquids provides the first overview of the applications of ionic liquids and their ionic polymers for the fabrication of smart devices. Volume one focusses on polymerized ionic liquids with the book introducing the polymerization of ionic liquids followed by individual chapters on different types of polymerized ionic liquids including nanoporous, cationic and anionic. Subsequent chapters then explore different material systems such as stimuli responsive smart fluids, thermoresponsive poly(ionic liquid)s and smart polymeric hydrogels. Volume two focusses on ionic liquid devices including characterisation techniques and their different applications as sensors, actuators, organic electronic devices, energy storage and nanocarriers for drug delivery. Written by leading researchers, the book provides a comprehensive resource aimed at researchers and students in materials science, polymer science, chemistry and physics interested in the materials and their applications. From the Inside Flap The applications of ionic liquids can be enormously expanded by arranging the organic ions in the form of a polymer architecture. Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), also known as poly(ionic liquid)s or polymeric ionic liquids, provide almost all features of ionic polymers plus a rare versatility in design. The mechanical properties of the solid or solid-like polymers can also be controlled by external stimuli, the basis for designing smart materials. Known for over four decades, PILs are a member of the ionic polymers family. Although the previous forms of ionic polymers have a partial ionicity, PILs are entirely composed of ions. Therefore, they offer a better flexibility for designing a responsive architecture as smart materials. Despite the terminology, PILs can be synthesized from solid organic ionic salts since the monomer liquidity is not a requirement for the polymerization process. Ionicity can also be induced to a neutral polymer by post-polymerization treatments. This is indeed an emerging field whose capabilities have been somehow overshadowed by the popularity of ionic liquids. However, recent reports in the literature have shown impressive potentials for the future. Written by leading authors, the present book provides a comprehensive overview of this exciting area, discussing various aspects of PILs and their applications as smart materials. Owing to the novelty of this area of research, the book will appeal to a broad readership including students and researchers from materials science, polymer science, chemistry, and physics. From the Back Cover The applications of ionic liquids can be enormously expanded by arranging the organic ions in the form of a polymer architecture. Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), also known as poly(ionic liquid)s or polymeric ionic liquids, provide almost all features of ionic polymers plus a rare versatility in design. The mechanical properties of the solid or solid-like polymers can also be controlled by external stimuli, the basis for designing smart materials. Known for over four decades, PILs are a member of the ionic polymers family. Although the previous forms of ionic polymers have a partial ionicity, PILs are entirely composed of ions. Therefore, they offer a better flexibility for designing a responsive architecture as smart materials. Despite the terminology, PILs can be synthesized from solid organic ioni