Interaction between the ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and Pluronic® P103 in aqueous solution: A DLS, SANS and NMR study

The effect of three ionic liquids (ILs) 1-alkyl 3-methyl imidazlolium tetraflouroborates (Cnmim BF4n = 4, 6, 8) on micellar solutions of an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer (PEO–PPO–PEO), Pluronic® P103 was examined from scattering and NMR techniques. The ILs alter the cloud point and micelle size dependant on their alkyl chain length and the results are discussed in terms of their behavior as cosolvent/cosurfactant. Cloud point data support the hydrogen bonding between the imidazolium cation and P103 while dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) reveal that presence of ionic liquid is not conducive to the micelle formation of P103. The selective nuclear Overhauser effect (NOESY) indicates that the PPO block of the P103 interacts with the alkyl group of the Cnmim+ cation by hydrophobic interaction. Through this kind of interactions, Cnmim BF4 and P103 can form mixed micelles. This result indicates that the presence of ILs hinders the micelle formation of P103 in solution and promotes P103 to orient at air/water interface.

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► Interaction of ILs with Pluronic micelles is proposed.
► Interaction studied by DLS, SANS, NMR technique.
► NOESY indicates PPO block interaction with alkyl group of IL.
► Through this kind of interactions, Cnmim BF4 and P103 can form mixed micelles.