writer：Zhiyue Dong, Chongrui Zhang, Huawen Peng, Jiang Gong, Hong Wang, Qiang Zhao*, Jiayin Yuan
keywords：poly(ionic liquid)
source：期刊
specific source：Materials Horizons
Issue time：2020年

Zhiyue Dong, Chongrui Zhang, Huawen Peng, Jiang Gong, Hong Wang, Qiang Zhao*, Jiayin Yuan. A cationitrile sequence encodes mild poly(ionic liquid) crosslinking for advanced composite membranes. Materials Horizons (2020) Accept.

Polymer crosslinking is crucial for the preparation and consolidation of hierarchical nano- and microstructures, hybrid interfaces, and collective assembly. Here for the first time we show that a “cation–methylene–nitrile” functionality sequence encoded within repeating units of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) allows for mild cyclization of nitriles which otherwise demands high temperature and harsh catalysts. The new reaction facilitated by CMN sequence was readily translated into freestanding nanomembranes (~19 nm in thickness) and nanocomposite membranes by treating the PILs with mild ammonia vapor (0.2 bar, 20 oC). Such materials are stable in various solvents, pH and even in boiling water, exhibiting exceptional mechanical strength and solar-thermal desalination performance. The sequence is easy to synthesize, transferable in copolymers, and applicable to various cations such as imidazolium, pyridinium, and triazolium. It provides a molecular code underpinning programmable polymer crosslinking and hybrid structures for sustainable energy and water applications.