Abstract

Poly(ionic liquid)s are defined as ionic liquids which feature polymerizable groups in either the cation, the anion, or both. The aim of this study is to synthesize a tributylhexyl phosphonium sulfopropyl acrylate (PSPA) poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) hydrogel and characterise its temperature and salt concentration induced shrinking. The gels were polymerised in circular moulds and were hydrated in deionized water (DI water). The percent shrinking upon exposure to a stimulus was calculated using the formula: %s = (Ai- Af)/Ai x 100, where Ai is the initial area of the swollen hydrogel and Af is the final area of the hydrogel after the application of the stimulus.