Ionic Liquids as Tools in the Production of Smart Polymeric Hydrogels

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the recent advances in the use of ILs in the process of forming polymeric gels (ionogels) and hydrogels. The tunability and versatility of ILs aligned with the features of natural (e.g. chitin or cellulose) and/or synthetic polymers have opened up new ways to process them not only as hydrogels, but also as matrices in different shapes and sizes. In particular, polymeric hydrogels processed in ILs can be useful for a broad range of applications from the removal of anionic dyes to biomaterials. We also highlight the physico-chemical properties and characteristics of the natural and synthetic polymers most used in the preparation of polymeric ionogels and hydrogels in ILs.

Marine-Derived Polymers in Ionic Liquids: Architectures Development and Biomedical Applications

“…The interest in ILs occurs due to their excellent properties, such as very high thermal stability, recyclability, noninflammability, negligible vapor pressure, and miscibility in various solvents [ 4 ]. A vast range of available ILs can be tuned, combining different cations and anions, which would tailor their intrinsic features, such as viscosity, ionic conductivity, density, polarity, solvation power, hydrophilicity, and hydrophobicity [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Different researchers proposed distinct strategies that combine green chemistry principles with the use of biorenewable feedstocks, e.g., natural macromolecules envisioning the formation of 2D/3D matrices as innovative biomaterials [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”