Polymer–Ionic Liquid Interactions in Aqueous Media: A Viscosity, Conductivity, and UV–Vis Study of Poly(ethylene oxide) and 1-Alkyl-4-Methylpyridinium Bromide

Viscosity and electrical conductivity of ternary systems (poly(ethylene oxide) + 1-alkyl-4-methyl pyridinium bromide + water) were studied. The results imply that thermodynamic quality of solvent (1-alkyl-4-methyl pyridinium bromide aqueous solutions) is decreased with increasing temperature. The flow activation energy was calculated and correlated in terms of polymer concentration. The sign of initial slope of the activation energy versus polymer concentration at zero concentration indicate that thermodynamic quality of 1-alkyl-4-methyl pyridinium bromide aqueous solutions is decreased by increment temperature. The limiting molar conductivity Λ o and the association constant K A for the ionic liquids in aqueous solutions of poly (ethylene oxide) were obtained by low concentration chemical model (lcCM) conductivity equation. The interaction between poly (ethylene oxide) and 1-alkyl-4-methyl pyridinium bromide was investigated by UV-Vis method. The hydrogen bonding between the pyridinium cation and the oxygen atom of poly(ethylene oxide) was confirmed using the results of UV-Vis spectroscopy.