Poly(ionic liquid) nanogel with tunable morphologies achieved via cross-linking polymerization induced self-assembly

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has been the focus of extensive research as an effective approach to create polymer nanoobjects. However, it still confronts hurdles in terms of nano-object stability and the availability of hydrophilic macromolecular agents. In this study, an innovative and productive approach for developing poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) nano-objects was successfully established through cross-linking polymerization induced self-assembly (CPISA). The suggested approaches employ reversible addition fragmental transfer (RAFT) polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) mediated by PIL macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs) in selected solvents. Core-cross-linked PIL nanogels with various morphologies such as sphere, fiber, and ring were achieved by varying the molecular weight of PIL macro-CTAs and the solvent. Furthermore, PIL nanogels were demonstrated to be effective catalysts for the cycloaddition reaction between CO 2 and epoxides . This versatile method allows for a controllable manner to produce cross-linked polymer nano-objects. Therefore, the findings have significant potential in the fields of polymer synthesis , nanomedicine and catalysis.