Aggregation of double-tailed ionic liquid 1,3-dioctylimidazolium bromide and the interaction with triblock copolymer F127.

The aggregation of ionic liquid-based double-tailed surfactant, 1,3-dioctylimidazolium bromide ([Doim]Br) and its interaction with pluronic copolymer F127 were systematically investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), surface tension, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). It was found that the [Doim]Br aggregates are composed with the alkyl chains embedded in the micellar core and with the imidazolium rings parallel and staggered on the hydrophilic layer of micelles, which was generally different from the single-tailed IL [omim]Br. The hydrogen bonding between protons attached to the imidazolium rings and anion Br(-) was enhanced upon the aggregation of [Doim]Br. The aggregation of F127 was promoted by addition of [Doim]Br, which was more efficient than the single-tailed surfactant. At lower [Doim]Br content, [Doim]Br monomers embedded deeply into F127 micelle core. At higher [Doim]Br concentrations, the F127 micelles were disassociated, and then F127 chains penetrated into [Doim]Br micelle. In addition, the microstructure of F127/[Doim]Br complex can also be tuned by temperature.