This lecture will focus on the synthesis of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) with well-defined nanostructures and properties, and their applications as high-performance materials to address sustainability challenges in the energy and environment research areas. PILs are historically defined in different ways, and a most widely accepted one is to classify PILs as the polymerization products of ionic liquid monomers and their derivatives via counterion exchange. Well-structured PILs combine naturally some unique properties of ionic liquids (ion conductivity, thermal stability, inflatability, etc.) with that of macromolecules (high processibility, shape durability, viscoelasticity, etc.) to build up a platform of high-performance polymers. Such high-performance polymers provide alternative solutions to address sustainability issues, e.g. wastewater treatment, CO2 capture and utilization, and fossil-free fuels.
In the beginning of this lecture, I will start with a brief introduction of PILs, their unique properties and their polymerization methods. This is then followed by general interest in nanostructured PILs and the characterization tools to probe the molecular and nanoscopic structures via advanced analytic tools,. It will continue to demonstrate the functions and applications of PILs-derived nanomaterials in wastewater treatment, CCS/CCU, energy materials, etc. We will demonstrate how well-defined beautiful nanostructures of PILs can be derived from uncomplicated synthesis, and their power as problem-solver in mnay challenging systems.

The development of sustainable materials with electrochromic properties is gaining significant attention due to the transition to more environmental friendly technological solutions. This work explores electrochromic materials [1] based on carrageenan, a natural derived polymer, blended with different contents of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([EMIM][SCN]). It is shown that the incorporation of the IL does not affect the morphology, physicochemical and thermal properties of the carrageenan matrix. However, the ionic conductivity increases significantly with IL content, ranging from 2.3 × 10-¹¹ S/cm for pristine carrageenan to 4.6 × 10-⁴ S/cm for the 60 wt. % IL containing sample. Electrochromic devices were fabricated using the different IL/carrageenan blends as electrolyte and PEDOT:PSS as electrodes. Spectro electrochemical tests demonstrated functional devices at low voltages between 0.3 and −0.9 V. The IL/carrageenan blend with 15 wt. % IL content showed the best performance, with oxidation and reduction times of 6 s and 8 s, respectively, and charge densities of 1150 and 1050 μC/cm-². This sample also exhibited an impressive optical switch (Δ%Tx) of 99%. Thus, this work demonstrate that high-efficiency electrochromic devices can be developed using natural polymers and ILs, offering a sustainable alternative for applications

To address the massive growth in electrification worldwide, the development of disruptive
energy storage solutions appears crucial. Currently, lithium-ion batteries represent the most
established and mature technology. However, to reduce their carbon footprint and
production costs, it is essential to improve the manufacturing processes for battery
components and their assembly. Thus, the development of a continuous melt extrusion
process would tackle that in reducing the number of manufacturing steps and eliminating the
need for solvents1.
More specifically, the design of an extrudable gel polymer composite electrolyte (GPE) was
studied. Its formulation was based on PVDF copolymer, combined with an ionic liquid (IL), to
enhance temperature stability2, a lithium salt, and a conductive ceramic3.
The physicochemical properties of the obtained films were analyzed using differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The incorporation of the IL
into the PVDF copolymer matrix significantly altered various physicochemical properties,
including melting temperature (Tm), thermal stability and crystallinity (Xc). However, the
addition of the lithium salt, mitigated the impact of IL on the polymer properties.
Furthermore, the presence of the conductive ceramic improved the mechanical strength of
the system, as confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), enabling viscosities suitable
for extrusion. Finally, electrochemical properties were assessed using electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the gel polymer electrolyte membranes
increased with IL concentration4, reaching values as high as 4x10-3 S/cm at 80°C.

High-performance wearable textiles made from poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hold great promise for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in military and healthcare systems. However, achieving an optimal balance of resilience, flexibility, and electrical properties is challenging due to weak interfacial interactions between PEDOT:PSS and the host substrates. In this study, we present a robust and stretchable wearable textile fabricated via vacuum-assisted impregnation of PEDOT:PSS onto an electrospun polyurethane (PU) nanofiber mat. The process creates a convoluted interlock network at the interface layer between PEDOT:PSS and PU nanofiber mat, enhanced by the large contact area, effective chemical interactions, and vacuum-induced pressure. This results in exceptional tensile strength of 51.2 MPa, 207% elongation, and 86% elastic recovery, surpassing the practical requirement threshold of wearable textiles and fibers. The robust PU-PEDOT:PSS nanofiber mat shows a normalized EMI shielding effectiveness value of 365.2 dB/mm at an ultrathin thickness of 100 µm. This textile is capable of maintaining its shielding performance after continuous loading and unloading cyclic tests up to 100% strain. Additionally, we introduce a one-step, durable, fluorine-free spray coating to protect the textile from moisture and dust, thereby extending its service life for practical outdoor applications.

Besides low energy consumption, membrane-based technologies are increasingly being used in industry because of their simplicity, cost effectiveness, high selectivity and ease to scale-up. Membrane applications include natural gas sweetening (CO₂ removal), hydrogen separation and oxygen and nitrogen enrichment from air. ¹

Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMM) allow to combine good processability and low cost of polymers with the superior gas separation of porous filler materials, overcoming the trade-off behavior of polymeric membranes.² However, good adhesion (compatibility) between the polymer and the filler seems to be the main challenge to achieve a stable and high performing MMM.³

We herein report on polysulfone/MUF-16 mixed matrix membranes using different functionalized polysulfones (Figure 1) to form covalent bonds with the filler material (MUF-16)⁴. For characterization we employed techniques such as XRD, UV-Vis, TGA and SEM. Fluorescence was also observed and used as detection of covalent bond formation. Moreover, gas separation performance was assessed by measuring the permeability and selectivity of different gases (N₂, O₂, He, H₂, CO₂, CH₄). SEM micrographs showed good particle distribution, no visible voids, agglomeration or sedimentation.

Mass cytometry (MC) is an emerging and powerful bioanalytical technique for high-dimensional single-cell analysis. While metal-chelating polymers (MCPs) have been the most successful mass tag reagents for MC, nanoparticle (NP)-based mass tag reagents are of great interest to improve the sensitivity of MC towards low-abundance biomarkers. In this study, we present a novel structure design for potential MC probes using multi-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), modified with zwitterionic sulfobetaine silanes and long-chain polyethylene glycol silanes (PEG5k, M = 5000). These PEGylated NPs displayed uniform size, good redispersibility and colloidal stability, as well as versatility in accommodating 13 types of lanthanides. They exhibited the capacity to carry up to 10⁴ Tb ions per NP, with negligible ion loss observed in both H₂O and PBS buffer. By varying PEG5k chain density on the NP surface, we minimized their non-specific binding to human serum albumin proteins and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, the unconjugated NPs showed excellent compatibility with commercial Maxpar MCP mass tags in a 10-plex assay for PBMCs staining. Under optimized conditions, N₃-terminated NPs were synthesized and successfully conjugated with anti-biotin antibodies (Abs), demonstrating effective binding to biotin Cy5 molecules. We compared 8 bioconjugation conditions to maximize efficiency while preserving Ab function. These findings highlight the potential of MSN-based mass tag reagents for high-sensitivity MC bioassays.