Polymeric ionic liquids: a strategy for preparation of novel polymeric materials

A novel polymeric ionic liquid (PIL), bearing high C-N and N-N content, potentially suitable for new safe energetic materials and catalyst supports was introduced. The PIL was prepared by way of radical co-polymerisation of 1-vinyl-3-p-nitrobenzylimidazolium bromide and 1-vinylimidazole at 80 degrees C using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The PIL thus produced was successfully transformed into NO3@PIL and N-3@PIL for potential application as safe energetic materials and/or catalyst supports. The polymers were obtained in quantitative yields and were characterised by NMR, FTIR, DSC and TGA data. This study reveals the adequate thermal stability of novel salt-based nitrogen-rich polymeric ionic liquids for application as safe energetic materials and/or supports in heterogeneous catalysis. (C) 2015 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences