A thermoreversible micellization-transfer-demicellization shuttle between water and an ionic liquid

A study was conducted to demonstrate a fully reversible micellization-transfer-demicellization shuttle between water and a hydrophobic ionic liquid. The study used thermosensitive block copolymer mecelles for reversible micellization in water and the ionic liquid. The micellization, transfer, and demicellization processes are controlled by a single stimulus temperature. The study found that the copolymers reside on the water at room temperature before forming micelles on heating. The study also found that at a higher temperature the micelles transfer to the ionic liquid as the solubilizing capability of water for corona block decreases. The study observed that the heating causes the micelles to break into free chains in the ionic liquid. The study also observed that the solubility of polymers in ionic liquids depends on the structures and Lewis acidity/basicity of cations and anions of ionic liquids.