Self-assembled block copolymers in ionic liquids: Recent advances and practical applications

Ionic liquids (ILs) are seen as liquids with great and novel potential in various applications such as separation materials, reaction medium, and energy devices. They have garnered great interest in their potential as a liquid-based molecular self-assembly medium that can produce innovative materials with distinctive criteria that have never been observed in traditional soft materials such as water and solvents. Here, recent advances and practical application of block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly in ILs are discussed focusing on the formation of the microstructure depending on dilute or concentrated BCPs. On the other hand, ion gels prepared from self-assembled BCPs attracted significant interest due to the outstanding tenability features (physical, viscoelasticity, and solution processability) without hindering ILs properties (nonvolatility, nonflammability, and high ionic conductivity). Lastly, the applicability of such technology is already in progress with a great interest seen in electrochemistry, batteries, actuators, electrolyte-gated transistors, and nano-delivery vehicles. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.