Dispersion Polymerization Research Articles

Water-dispersible macromolecular antioxidants for toughening and strengthening cellulose membranes

Biodegradable packaging materials from cellulose are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Balancing its mechanical properties as well as protective values (antioxidation, oxygen barrier, etc.) is critical. However, most studies to improve its antioxidation performance were accompanied by sacrificed mechanical properties. In the current work, a series of linear -COOH functionalized phenolic polymers were prepared from phenolic compounds (vanillin, 3,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde) through a facile tri-component thiol-aldehyde polycondensation. While circumventing the cumbersome protection-deprotection of phenol groups, the one-pot strategy also affords water dispersible polymers for fabricating composites with cellulose nanofibers in an aqueous medium. After introducing 5–10 wt% of the copolymers, a minor soft phase was formed inside the composites, contributing to enhanced mechanical strength, toughness, antioxidation capability, and ultra-violet blocking performance, while its oxygen barrier property was well maintained.

Size Control and Antioxidant Properties of Sulfur-Rich Polymer Colloids from Interfacial Polymerization.

High sulfur content polymeric materials, known for their intriguing properties such as high refractive indices and high electrochemical capacities, have garnered significant interest in recent years for their applications in optics, antifouling surfaces, triboelectrics, and electrochemistry. Despite the high interest, most high sulfur-content polymers reported to date are either bulk materials or thin films, and there is a general lack of research into sulfur-rich polymer colloids. Water-dispersed, sulfur-rich particles are anticipated to broaden the range of applications for sulfur-containing materials. In this study, the preparation and size control parameters are presented of an aqueous dispersion of sulfur-rich polymers with the sulfur content of dispersed particles exceeding 75wt%. Employing polymeric stabilizers with varying hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), along with changing the rank of inorganic polysulfides, allow for the control of particle size in the range of 360nm - 1.8µm. The sulfur-rich colloid demonstrates antioxidant properties in water, demonstrating the potential for the use of sulfur-rich polymeric materials readily removable, heterogeneous radical scavengers.

Preparation of functionalizable poly(propylene–styrene)/polyacrylonitrile millimeter‐scale particles with core‐shell morphology

AbstractCore‐Shell (CS) polymeric particles have attracted great interest due to their high mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability and their surface properties. In this study, functionalizable CS poly(propylene/styrene)/poly(acrylonitrile) (PP/PS/PAN) particles were prepared through heterogeneous polymerizations in a batch reactor. Commercial PP particles and PP/PS particles (prepared by seeded suspension polymerization of styrene (Sty) on PP spheres) were applied as core components of the final structure, while the shell was prepared through acrylonitrile dispersion polymerization. The degree of swelling of the core particles by Sty played an important role for the adhesion of the PAN shell, which for PP particles was 24 wt%, whereas for PP/PS hybrid particles it was 57 wt%. The particles (PP/PS and CS) were characterized through image analysis, revealing a uniform and smooth surface for PP/PS spheres and a uniform porous shell for CS particles. Particle size distributions, thermal degradation, chemical structures, degrees of crystallinity, and textural properties were also evaluated. The PAN shell adhered to the PP/PS particles without forming a copolymer, and the CS particles formed by a PP/PS core and PAN shell had sizes of 4.54 ± 1.24 mm, specific area of 2.70 m2g−1 and PAN content of 15.98 ± 0.82% (m/m) of total particles.

Multiple drug-delivery strategies to enhance the pharmacological and toxicological properties of Mefenamic acid

ObjectiveTo improve the biological and toxicological properties of Mefenamic acid (MA), the galactosylated prodrug of MA named MefeGAL was included in polymeric solid dispersions (PSs) composed of poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) and Pluronic® F68 (MefeGAL-PS). MefeGAL-PS was compared with polymeric solid formulations of MA (MA-PS) or a mixture of equal ratio of MefeGAL/MA (Mix-PS). MethodsThe in vitro and in vivo pharmacological and toxicological profiles of PSs have been investigated. In detail, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema test), analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing test) and ulcerogenic activity in mice after oral treatment. Additionally, the antiproliferative activity of PSs was assessed on in vitro models of colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer. ResultsWhen the PSs were resuspended in water, MefeGAL’s, MA’s and their mixture’s apparent solubilities improved due to the interaction with the polymeric formulation. By comparing the in-vivo biological performance of MefeGAL-PS with that of MA, MefeGAL and MA-PS, it was seen that MefeGAL-PS exhibited the same sustained and delayed analgesic and anti-inflammatory profile as MefeGAL but did not cause gastrointestinal irritation. The pharmacological effect of Mix-PS was present from the first hours after administration, lasting about 44 hours with only slight gastric mucosa irritation. In-vitro evaluation indicated that Mix-PS had statistically significant higher cytotoxicity than MA-PS and MefeGAL-PS. ConclusionsThese preliminary data are promising evidence that the galactosylated prodrug approach in tandem with a polymer-drug solid dispersion formulation strategy could represent a new drug delivery route to improve the solubility and biological activity of NSAIDs.

PEDOT:PSS based reprocessingly multifunctional dispersions and their optoelectronic films with excellent self-healing capability

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) has become a hot and excellent candidate material for organic electronics. However, its film applications are limited due to its high accidental scratching or damage brittleness, easy moisture absorption and poor mechanical properties, etc. Herein, a thermo-driven healable waterborne polyurethane (WPU-DA) was introduced into PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion by simple mechanical mixing. The film prepared by the uniform mixture with cracks less than 10 μm achieved multiple structural morphology healing under treating at 130 °C for 10 min and then 65 °C for 1 h, and this process had little effect on its original electrical properties. Moreover, the film has good resistance to various solvents, especially water even after 14 days of immersion. The film also has excellent flexibility and electrochromic capability which can maintain stable electrical path even after multiple bending-stretching operations. In addition, the film can realize the synergistic healing of structural morphology and electrochromic properties, and a freeze-drying and redispersion process can reproduce above characteristics, supporting the long-term storage and in-site fabrication of polymer dispersions.

Study on the Effect of Additives on the Performance of Cement-Based Composite Anti-Corrosion Coatings for Steel Bars in Prefabricated Construction.

The influence of polymer emulsion, pigment filler, and dispersant on the corrosion resistance of polymer cement-based composite anti-corrosion coatings were investigated in this study. Adhesion loss rate tests and electrochemical tests were conducted on samples. The research results show that optimal corrosion resistance can be achieved with a 45 wt% dosage of emulsion, a 6 wt% dosage of pigment filler, and a 0.30 wt% dosage of dispersant. The bonding properties of bare steel bars, epoxy-coated steel bars, and polymer cement-based composite anti-corrosion coated steel bars with grout were compared. The results show that the polymer cement-based composite anti-corrosion coating can enhance the bonding properties of the samples. Furthermore, the microscopic analysis was conducted on the samples. The results demonstrate that the appropriate addition of emulsion can fill internal pores of the coating, tightly bonding hydration products with unhydrated cement particles. Moreover, incorporating a suitable dosage of functional additives enhances the stability of the coating system and leads to a denser microstructure.

Recovery of cellulose acetate bioplastic from cigarette butts: realization of a sustainable sorbent for water remediation

Cigarette butts, one of the most common forms of litter in the world, represent a source of chemical and plastic pollution releasing thousands of toxic compounds and microfibers of cellulose acetate (CA). Besides the correct waste management, the recovery of CA from cigarette filters is a way to cushion their negative effects on the environment. Thus far, recycling strategies have been limited to industrial applications, while not many solutions have designed for water remediation. This work describes a strategy to valorize this harmful waste and to reverse its environmental impact, proposing a simple and effective procedure of reclamation of CA and its reuse to prepare a composite sorbent for the treatment of polluted water. The first step entails the washing of filters with hot water (T = 90 °C) and hot ethanol (T = 58–68 °C) to remove the impurities produced during cigarette burning, as verified by means of UV and attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The second step involves the use of the regenerated CA to prepare porous cylinder-shaped cryogels (15 mm × 10 mm) whose sorption properties are enhanced by the combination with AC (15 % w/w). The synthesis takes advantage of the sol-gel transition of the polymer dispersion (5 % w/V) in a solution acetone/water 5 mM in NH3 (60/40, v/v). After characterization by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), TGA, FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the adsorption capability of the physical cryogel was studied in terms of treated environmental water volume, contact time and concentration of the selected pollutants. The results have shown that the proposed strategy is a low-cost way to recycle CA from cigarette butts and that the designed sorbent is a promising material for water treatment, allowing quick removal times and yields >79.6 %.

Selective and Controlled Grafting from PVDF-Based Materials by Oxygen-Tolerant Green-Light-Mediated ATRP.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) shows excellent chemical and thermal resistance and displays high dielectric strength and unique piezoelectricity, which are enabling for applications in membranes, electric insulators, sensors, or power generators. However, its low polarity and lack of functional groups limit wider applications. While inert, PVDF has been modified by grafting polymer chains by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), albeit via an unclear mechanism, given the strong C-F bonds. Herein, we applied eosin Y and green-light-mediated ATRP to modify PVDF-based materials. The method gave nearly quantitative (meth)acrylate monomer conversions within 2 h without deoxygenation and without the formation of unattached homopolymers, as confirmed by control experiments and DOSY NMR measurements. The gamma distribution model that accounts for broadly dispersed polymers in DOSY experiments was essential and serves as a powerful tool for the analysis of PVDF. The NMR analysis of poly(methyl acrylate) graft chain-ends on PVDF-CTFE (statistical copolymer with chlorotrifluoroethylene) was carried out successfully for the first time and showed up to 23 grafts per PVDF-CTFE chain. The grafting density was tunable depending on the solvent composition and light intensity during the grafting. The initiation proceeded either from the C-Cl sites of PVDF-CTFE or via unsaturations in the PVDF backbones. The dehydrofluorinated PVDF was 20 times more active than saturated PVDF during the grafting. The method was successfully applied to modify PVDF, PVDF-HFP, and Viton A401C. The obtained PVDF-CTFE-g-PnBMA materials were investigated in more detail. They featured slightly lower crystallinity than PVDF-CTFE (12-18 vs 24.3%) and had greatly improved mechanical performance: Young's moduli of up to 488 MPa, ductility of 316%, and toughness of 46 × 106 J/m3.

Polymeric Amorphous Solid Dispersions of Dasatinib: Formulation and Ecotoxicological Assessment.

Dasatinib (DAS), a potent anticancer drug, has been subjected to formulation enhancements due to challenges such as significant first-pass metabolism, poor absorption, and limited oral bioavailability. To improve its release profile, DAS was embedded in a matrix of the hydrophilic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Drug amorphization was induced in a planetary ball mill by solvent-free co-grinding, facilitating mechanochemical activation. This process resulted in the formation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). The ASD capsules exhibited a notable enhancement in the release rate of DAS compared to capsules containing the initial drug. Given that anticancer drugs often undergo limited metabolism in the body with unchanged excretion, the ecotoxicological effect of the native form of DAS was investigated as well, considering its potential accumulation in the environment. The highest ecotoxicological effect was observed on the bacteria Vibrio fischeri, while other test organisms (bacteria Pseudomonas putida, microalgae Chlorella sp., and duckweed Lemna minor) exhibited negligible effects. The enhanced drug release not only contributes to improved oral absorption but also has the potential to reduce the proportion of DAS that enters the environment through human excretion. This comprehensive approach highlights the significance of integrating advances in drug development while considering its environmental implications.

Facile “One-Pot” Fabrication of Dual-Functional Anisotropic Particles via Dispersion Polymerization for Adsorption of Copper Ions

Facile “One-Pot” Fabrication of Dual-Functional Anisotropic Particles via Dispersion Polymerization for Adsorption of Copper Ions

Characterisation of a casein-/whey protein concentrate–Antarctic krill oil emulsion system and improvement of its storage stability

Aims To develop Antarctic krill oil emulsions with casein and whey protein concentrate (WPC) and study their physicochemical properties and storage stability. Methods Emulsions were prepared by homogenisation and ultrasonication. The properties of the emulsions were investigated via ultraviolet ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, confocal laser scanning microscope, sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Fourier transform infra-red spectrometer, and fluorescence spectrum. Shelf life was predicted by the Arrhenius model. Results Casein- and WPC-krill oil emulsions were well formed; the mean particle diameters were less than 128.19 ± 0.64 nm and 158 ± 1.56 nm, the polymer dispersity indices were less than 0.26 ± 0.01 and 0.27 ± 0.01, and the zeta potential were around −46.88 ± 5.02 mV and −33.51 ± 2.68 mV, respectively. Shelf life was predicted to be 32.67 ± 1.55 days and 29.62 ± 0.65 days (40 °C), 27.69 ± 1.15 days and 23.58 ± 0.14 days (50 °C), 24.02 ± 0.15 days and 20.1 ± 0.08 days (60 °C). Conclusion The prepared krill oil emulsions have great potential to become a new krill oil supplement.

Reversal of drug resistance in breast cancer cells by photodynamic action mediated by curcumin/Ko143/PLGA nanoparticles

Objective: The objective of this study is to prepare Cur/Ko143/PLGA that encapsulate the photosensitizer curcumin (Cur) and the multidrug transporter-specific inhibitor Ko143 to investigate its application in reversing drug resistance in breast cancer and evaluate its properties and therapeutic efficacy. Results: After successful preparation of nanoparticles, the encapsulation rate of Cur/Ko143/PLGA was 73.8% ± 1.8%, and the drug loading rate was 2.8% ± 0.1%. The Cur/Ko143/PLGA were spherical and regular in morphology under transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were morphologically intact, were uniform in size, and did not show significant aggregation under scanning electron microscopy. The average particle size of Cur/Ko143/PLGA was 232.32 ± 10.60 nm, the polymer dispersion index was 0.01, and the zeta potential was −17.25 ± 0.65 mV, as determined by laser particle sizing. In vitro ultrasound observation showed that Cur/Ko143/PLGA were enhanced in both the B-mode and contrast modes. Intracellular Cur fluorescence detection, biocompatibility testing, cell scratch experiment, flow detection of apoptosis, live–dead staining, and actin polymerization test all prove that new nanomaterials have better photodynamic efficacy. Conclusion: Drug-carrying Cur/Ko143/PLGA nanoparticles can increase the concentration of the intracellular photosensitizer Cur and increase the photodynamic efficacy by inhibiting an efflux pump, which is expected to become a new therapeutic strategy.

Nanoparticle-Enhanced Water-Based-Emulsion Fracturing Fluid for Improved Imbibition Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs: Performance and Mechanism

Summary The conventional friction reducer, typically a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, used in slickwater, encounters challenges related to poor environmental friendliness, limited stability, and low activity, hindering its widespread applicability. In this study, we synthesized a water-based emulsion through water dispersion polymerization, incorporating nanoparticles (NPs) into the process to enhance the stability and activity of the polymer emulsion. The result is an environmentally friendly, oil-phase-free, instantly dissolution, and highly efficient friction reducer, intended to optimize the utilization efficiency of slickwater. The NP-enhanced water-based emulsion demonstrated a consistent and spherical dispersion, featuring an average particle size of ~10 μm, maintaining stability for more than 6 months. With rapid dissolution in water, achieved within a mere 38 seconds, it facilitated continuous on-the-fly mixing. Slickwater composed of this emulsion exhibited outstanding application performance, yielding a remarkable 76% reduction in pipeline friction. The presence of NPs and specific monomers facilitated the formation of a spatial network structure that maintains high temperature/shear resistance even after prolonged shear. Moreover, the system exhibited an exceptional capacity for imbibition oil production. Indoor spontaneous imbibition experiments showed a final recovery rate of 32.41% in tight oil cores (~10% higher than conventional systems), and imbibition depth reached 40.2 mm (1.2-fold increase compared with traditional systems). Field experiments were conducted in a tight oil reservoir to validate practical applications; the results further validated the effectiveness of the novel system. The treated wells showcased rapid oil production, reaching an average daily production rate of 55.8 t/d and water content as low as ~31%, satisfying the predicted production target.

Waterborne polyurethane polymer dispersions using castor oil and curcumin as bioresources: Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial textile applications

AbstractThe main goal of this study is to make new waterborne polyurethane polymers (WPUCs) using bioresources like curcumin as a chain extender and castor oil as a polyol. We explored different mole ratios of curcumin during the synthesis of WPUC polymers. The WPUC dispersions were well‐defined and had nanoparticle sizes that ranged from 80.1 to 48.2 nm. Their zeta potentials were between −61.7 and − 52.2 mV, which showed that they were more stable. The absence of a phenolic hydroxyl band in the synthesized WPUC's IR spectrum indicated the insertion of curcumin into the PU chain. The coating of WPUCs on polyester/cotton (PE/C) blend fabric showed an improvement in colorfastness properties and reduced air permeability. The enhanced bending modulus (enhanced stiffness), improved abrasion resistance, and higher tensile strength were also observed. Furthermore, the WPUC‐coated fabric samples showed a bacterial inhibition percentage of 83.12%–99.9999% (p < 0.001) compared with blank fabric against bacterias' because of the inherent nature of curcumin. Inserting a higher amount of curcumin in the polymer chain of WPUC improved the antibacterial effects. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights for the possible antibacterial textile applications of synthesized WPUCs.

Removing Conjugated Polymers from Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays.

Aligned carbon nanotube (A-CNT) with high semiconducting purity and high-density have been considered as one of the most promising active channels for field-effect transistors (FETs), but conjugated polymer dispersant residues on the surface of A-CNT have become the main obstacle for its further development in electronics applications. In this work, a series of removable conjugated polymers (CPs) are designed and synthesized to achieve favorable purification and alignment for CNT arrays with a high density of ≈360 CNTs/µm. Furthermore, a removal process of CPs on the CNT array film is developed. Raman spectra show that the CNTs in array film are almost not damaged after the removal process, and the G/D ratio is as high as 35. The field-effect transistors (FETs) are fabricated with a saturation current density up to 600µAµm-1 and a current on-off ratio of ≈105, even with a relatively long channel length of ≈3µm.

Dynamic Chalcogen Squares for Material and Topological Control over Macromolecules

AbstractHerein we introduce chalcogen squares via selenadiazole motifs as a new class of dynamic supramolecular bonding interactions for the modification and control of soft matter materials. We showcase selenadiazole motifs in supramolecular networks of varying primary chain length prepared through polymerization using tandem step‐growth/Passerini multicomponent reactions (MCRs). Compared to controls lacking the selenadiazole motif, these networks display increased glass transition temperatures and moduli due to the chalcogen bonding linkages formed between chains. These elastomeric networks were shown to autonomously heal at room temperature, retaining up to 83 % of the ultimate tensile strength. Lastly, we use post‐polymerization modification via the Biginelli MCR to add selenadiazole motifs to narrowly dispersed polymers for controlled topology in solution. Chalcogen squares via selenadiazoles introduce an exciting exchange mechanism to the realm of dynamic materials.

Dynamic Chalcogen Squares for Material and Topological Control over Macromolecules.

Herein we introduce chalcogen squares via selenadiazole motifs as a new class of dynamic supramolecular bonding interactions for the modification and control of soft matter materials. We showcase selenadiazole motifs in supramolecular networks of varying primary chain length prepared through polymerization using tandem step-growth/Passerini multicomponent reactions (MCRs). Compared to controls lacking the selenadiazole motif, these networks display increased glass transition temperatures and moduli due to the chalcogen bonding linkages formed between chains. These elastomeric networks were shown to autonomously heal at room temperature, retaining up to 83 % of the ultimate tensile strength. Lastly, we use post-polymerization modification via the Biginelli MCR to add selenadiazole motifs to narrowly dispersed polymers for controlled topology in solution. Chalcogen squares via selenadiazoles introduce an exciting exchange mechanism to the realm of dynamic materials.

Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of aluminium-filled ethylene vinyl acetate for electrically conductive 3D part printing

Addition of carbon-based fillers to enhance electrical conductivity is quite popular but addition of metal fillers is still a challenge due to oxidation and unavailability of metal nano-powders. In this paper, fabrication of flexible electrically conductive parts is proposed using aluminium metal powder as filler material. Aluminium metal powder is mixed with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) by chemical mixing process. Cyclohexane is used as a mixing medium in which EVA is dissolved and aluminium powder is added by weight. An in-house developed material extrusion tool mounted on CNC milling machine is used for printing of flexible electrically conductive samples. Pellet-based extrusion process is used for printing flexible parts as conventional filament-based 3D is not suitable due to buckling. Composite with filler loading in 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% were made and samples were printed. Investigations were made on printability of composite and its electrical conductivity. The aluminium fillers presence and dispersion in polymer were ensured. The samples were printed in temperature range of 130–140 °C through 0.4 mm diameter nozzle. It was found that the resistivity drops by around 60% on varying the filler concentration from 20% to 30%; 81.6 kΩ is the lowest resistance observed with 30% filler concentration. A simulation study on thermal behaviour of material extrusion tool has been done and is validated practically. The application of flexible electrically conductive parts lies in fabrication of various electronic devices like antenna, display boards, solar panels, and wearable health monitoring devices.

Phenanthroline Derived N-Doped Carbon Dots as Robust Metal-Free Photocatalysts for PET-RAFT Polymerization and Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly.

Metal-free organic photocatalysts for photo-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization (photo-RDRP) are witnessed to make increasing advancement in the precise synthesis of polymers. However, challenges still exist in the development of high-efficiency and environmentally sustainable carbon dots (CDs)-based organocatalysts. Herein, N-doped CDs derived from phenanthroline derivative (Aphen) are prepared as metal-free photocatalysts for photoinduced electron transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization. The introduction of phenanthroline structure enhances the excited state lifetime of CDs and expands the conjugated length of their internal structure to enable the light-absorption to reach green light region, thereby enhancing photocatalytic activity. The as-designed CDs exhibit unprecedented photocatalytic capacity in photopolymerization even in large-volume reaction (100mL) with high monomer conversion and narrow polymer dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.20) under green light. The photocatalytic system is compatible with PET-RAFT polymerization of numerous monomers and the production of high molecular weight polyacrylate (Mn >250000) with exquisite spatiotemporal control. Above results confirm the potential of CDs as photocatalyst, which has not been achieved with other CDs catalysts used in photo-RDRP. In addition, the construction of fluorescent polymer nanoparticles using CDs as both photocatalyst and phosphor through photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (Photo-PISA) technology is successfully demonstrated for the first time.

Effect of support type on the characteristics of polybutene polymers from C4 monomers employing supported ionic liquid/AlCl3 initiating systems

In order to assess the effect of support type on the characteristics of polybutene polymers, cyclohexyl imidazolium chloride ionic liquid was grafted onto the surface of various supports including boehmite, halloysite, palygorskite, and kaolinite. The furnished supported ionic liquids were employed alongside AlCl3/ethanol as initiating systems to polymerize C4 monomers, resulting in polybutene polymers. Overall, XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDS, and Elemental Mapping Analyses convinced the successful homogenous grafting of ionic liquid onto the surface of subjected supports. To obtain precious and essential information about molecular weight, dispersity, and microstructure of polymers, GPC, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR analyses were conducted. Among the four initiating systems, kaolinite supported ionic liquid demonstrated the most satisfying results, Yield = 88.2 %, Mn= 18104 g mol−1, Ð = 1.83, exo= 6.1 % and isobutylene content of 92.5 %. Hence, this supported ionic liquid was fully characterized via SEM, EDX, Elemental Mapping, XRD, FT IR and TGA analyses. To get deeper insight about the type and quantity of molecular interactions in the kaolinite supported ionic liquid, molecular modeling calculation was also considered. Beside efficiently balancing polymerization condition, implementing the AlCl3/ionic liquid initiating system promotes a more environmentally friendly polymerization approach by halving the amount of hazardous AlCl3 compared to the blank system including neat AlCl3 as the single co-initiator.