Structural organization of ionic liquids embedded in fluorinated polymers

Hybrid materials based on ionic liquids (ILs) and polymers are increasingly being used for the development of smart multifunctional materials, allowing to tune polymer properties or introduce new ones. Nonetheless, structural organization ILs within matrix is not properly understood. This work reports different incorporated into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. The effect IL type ([Pmim][TFSI], [Pmpip][TFSI], [Bmim]2[NiCl4] [Bmim][FeCl4]) PVDF was evaluated correlated observed variations in morphological physical-chemical properties. [Bmim][FeCl4] leads highly porous structures incorporation increases electroactive β phase content PVDF. Different hybrid at nanoscale has been found by small-angle neutron scattering experiments. Whereas just single polydisperse objects with average size about 5 nm have PVDF/[Pmim][TFSI] PVDF/[Pmpip][TFSI] samples, more complex fractal-like pores present PVDF/[Bmim][FeCl4] PVDF/[Bmim]2[NiCl4]. Thus, influences both morphology polymer. Complex allows a morphology, while polydispersed [Pmpip][TFSI] favors strong ion-dipole interactions between matrix, resulting higher contents.