Free‐radical solution copolymerization of the ionic liquid monomer 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium bromide with acrylonitrile

Abstract Ionic liquid monomer 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium bromide (ViEtIM + Br − ) was first used to copolymerize with acrylonitrile (AN) successfully under various conditions. This was achieved with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. The kinetics of this copolymerization were studied. The values of the monomer apparent reactivity ratios were calculated by the Kelen–Tüdos method. The apparent reactivity ratios of ViEtIM + Br − ( r ViEtIM+Br− ) and AN ( r AN ) were similar at polymerization conversions of less than 10% ( r AN = 0.954, r ViEtIM+Br− = 0.976). The copolymers were obtained with high molecular weights and high hydrophilicities. The copolymers were characterized by 1 H‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. These copolymers may be potentially useful in the preparation of precursor fibers and carbon fibers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009