| Abstract: | The controlled atom transfer radical polymerization of an ionic liquid, 1‐(11‐acryloylundecyl)‐3‐methyl imidazolium bromide (ILBr), from both ends of a telechelic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) macroinitiator, end‐functionalized with bromoisobutyryloyl is reported. The resulting highly water‐soluble triblock, poly(ILBr‐b‐PO‐b‐ILBr) is multistimuli responsive. This new class of triblocks exhibits classical surface activity in lowering surface tension at the air–water interface and in modifying wetting in waterborne coatings. It also immunizes model colloids against coagulation induced by Debye–Hückel (indifferent electrolyte) electrostatic screening. Further, sol–gel thermoreversibility is unexpectedly found as an additional form of stimuli responsiveness. |
