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The integration of ionic liquids and polymer composites has become a promising way to improve their thermal properties, representing a notable advancement in the development of advanced materials for specific applications. Their thermal properties heavily influence the suitability of polymer composites for particular applications. It is imperative to understand and manipulate the thermal behavior of these composites to optimize their performance across various fields. In this mini-review, diverse polymer matrices and fillers utilized in polymer composites containing ionic liquids are categorized. Additionally, various ionic liquids employed in studies related to the thermal properties of polymer composites are identified. The impact of ionic liquids on the thermal properties of these composites is also briefly reviewed. The knowledge illustrated in this review enriches the understanding of the types of polymer matrices and fillers used in conjunction with ionic liquids, as well as their thermal properties. In a nutshell, imidazolium-based ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, hexafluorophosphate, halides, and hydrogen sulfate anions have the impact of improving the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, degradation temperature, and thermal conductivity of thermoplastic, thermosetting, and elastomer composites.

The flammability properties of polymers and polymer composites are crucial in ensuring their safe use in various applications. The development of flame-retardant technologies continues to be an active area of research to improve the fire safety of these materials. Recently, ionic liquids have been studied in the flammability properties of polymers and polymer composites. In this concise review, different types of polymers and polymer composites that are combined with ionic liquids are discovered. In addition, the preparation of polymers and polymer composites combined with ionic liquids through distinct methods is described. The additive effect of ionic liquids on the flammability properties of polymers and polymer composites is also concisely reviewed. The data demonstrated in this review contribute an extra visible knowledge of the preparation of polymers and polymer composites combined with ionic liquids and their flammability properties. In summary, certain types of ionic liquids can decrease the flammability properties of polymers and increase the flame retardancy of polymer composites.

Increasing concern for the environment has led researchers to pay more attention to the fabrication of polymer biocomposites for many different applications. Polymer biocomposites have generally been fabricated utilizing synthetic or natural polymers with natural fillers. Recently, ionic liquids have been used for the pretreatment of natural fillers prior to the fabrication of polymer biocomposites. In this mini-review, four types of ionic liquids used for the pretreatment of natural filler are classified, specifically chloride-, diethyl phosphate-, acetate-, and bistriflimide-based ionic liquids. In addition, the pretreatment processes of natural fillers with ionic liquids are described in this review. Furthermore, the influence of ionic liquid pretreatment on the physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites is succinctly reviewed. Besides, the information presented in this review contributes to a clearer understanding of the process of ionic liquid pretreatment and the vital physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites. In summary, most ionic liquid pretreatments can improve almost all physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites.

An improvement of ecological conscience currently has increased the consciousness of researchers in reducing the processing time and cost of solvent for the dissolution of cellulose. Latterly, ionic liquids have been employed to process cellulose as they are recyclable and nonvolatile. Besides that, biopolymers such as chitosan, chitin, starch, protein, and cellulose acetate can also be processed by using ionic liquids for diverse applications. In this short review, examples of imidazolium-based ionic liquids that are commonly used for the dissolution of cellulose are implied. Furthermore, examples of organic liquids that are utilized as co-solvents for ionic liquids were revealed. In addition, examples of imidazolium-based ionic liquid/co-solvent mixtures utilized in the dissolution of cellulose and other biopolymers are also demonstrated. The properties and applications of cellulose and its blends regenerated from different types of cellulose/imidazolium-based ionic liquid/co-solvent solutions are also shortly reviewed. The information acquired from this review gives a better understanding of the changes in the properties of regenerated cellulose and regenerated cellulose blends. In addition, this short review serves as a model basis for the creation of novel applications of regenerated cellulose and regenerated cellulose blends by utilizing imidazolium-based ionic liquid/co-solvent mixtures.