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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.

The study aimed to extract and characterize natural fibers from Pulicaria gnaphalodes (Vent.) Boiss. plants and assess the impact of alkali treatment on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of these fibers. Fibers were extracted from dried P. gnaphalodes aerial parts by grinding with an average yield of 18.1%. Physicochemical and FTIR analysis revealed that the hemicellulose was mostly lost during alkali treatment. Results of the X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the crystallinity and thermal stability of P. gnaphalodes fibers were considerably increased after alkali treatment. In antioxidant activity assessment studies, raw fibers of P. gnaphalodes showed significantly higher radical scavenging and reducing power potentials compared to the alkali-treated samples, indicating that the majority of antioxidant components such as lignin and other polyphenols were lost from P. gnaphalodes fibers during alkali treatment. In conclusion, the promising antioxidant activity of raw P. gnaphalodes can be utilized in developing functional materials, particularly for cosmetic and wound healing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites are distinct but interconnected composite classes, each with unique compositions and design philosophies. The mechanical properties of these composites are vital in advanced materials due to their impacts on performance, durability, and suitability for various applications. The addition of ionic liquids into these composites is a promising innovation in advanced materials. In this short review, various polymer matrices (e.g., thermosets, thermoplastics, and biopolymers), fillers (e.g., inorganic, carbon, organic, and metal), and ionic liquids (e.g., imidazolium- and phosphonium-based) used to fabricate polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites with added ionic liquids are identified. Furthermore, the addition of ionic liquids into these composites through different methods (e.g., magnetic stirring, mechanical stirring, solid grinding, etc.) is discussed. The influence of ionic liquid addition on the mechanical properties, specifically the tensile properties of these composites, is also shortly reviewed. The changes in the tensile properties, such as the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break, of these composites are explained as well. The information presented in this review enhances the understanding of the methods applied to add ionic liquids into polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites, along with their tensile properties. In short, some ionic liquids have the capacity to enhance the tensile properties of hybrid polymer composites, and several ionic liquids can reduce the tensile properties of polymer hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]