Ionic-Liquid Surface Structure: Informing Applications through Dynamical Measurements

Timothy K.教授明顿（蒙大拿州立大学）由化学结构，动力学，和机制计划的化学和实验计划，以刺激竞争性研究（EPSCoR）的部门作为主要研究员的联合调查人员谁代表了独特的组合建立的专业知识在化学合成和催化应用的离子液体（离子液体）和液晶材料（博士约翰M。Slattery和邓肯W.布鲁斯;约克，英国），实验测量散射动力学使用激光为基础的（教授肯尼斯G。McKendrick和Matthew L. Costen; Heriot-Watt，英国）或分子束散射（Minton）方法，以及气液相互作用的理论建模（乔治·C·教授）。沙茨;美国西北大学）。 英国研究人员通过工程和物理科学研究理事会颁发的平行赠款获得支持，Schatz教授是一名未受资助的合作者。 该提案旨在加强对IL表面结构的基本理解，并将这种新的见解与IL的关键可持续应用联系起来。 原子和分子从液体表面的非弹性和反应性散射将发展成为一种新的，化学特定的分析探针。 两个不同的和互补的实验方法将追求，基于激光光解，激光光谱探测和分子束散射。 基于激光的方法与一系列样品表面组成的高通量筛选相匹配，而分子束散射将为选定液体的表面结构提供更多信息。 结合起来，他们将探测在定制合成的，高纯度离子液体的公认的实际利益的表面偏析的程度。 将产生的基本新见解最有可能通过其在IL材料的设计和优化中的促进作用用于许多环境友好型应用，从而为社会利益服务。 最直接的影响将是涉及通过气液界面的运输过程，包括各种形式的催化作用。 参与的学生和博士后将接受现代研究方法的各种培训。 他们将有充分的机会发展更广泛的、可转移的技能，享受国际交流的文化好处，使他们能够为未来的增长或高科技公司的创建做出贡献。 将通过建立一个新网站和相关的YouTube频道，积极促进外联工作。 这些新的资源将促进拟议的国际土地法研究的结果及其更广泛的一般用途。 下载对象将适用于教程和其他教学工具，目的是丰富研究人员，教师，学生和普通公众。

Prof. Timothy K. Minton (Montana State University) is supported by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanisms Program of the Division of Chemistry and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) as the Principal Investigator of joint USA-UK team of investigators who represent a unique combination of established expertise in the chemical synthesis and catalytic applications of ionic liquids (ILs) and liquid-crystalline materials (Dr. John M. Slattery and Prof. Duncan W. Bruce; York, UK), experimental measurements of scattering dynamics using laser-based (Prof. Kenneth G. McKendrick and Dr. Matthew L. Costen; Heriot-Watt, UK) or molecular-beam scattering (Minton) methods, and theoretical modeling of gas-liquid interactions (Prof. George C. Schatz; Northwestern, USA). The UK researchers are supported through a parallel grant issued by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and Prof. Schatz is an unfunded collaborator. This proposal aims to enhance the fundamental understanding of IL surface structure and to relate this new insight to key sustainable applications of ILs. Inelastic and reactive scattering of atoms and molecules from liquid surfaces will be developed as a new, chemically specific analytical probe. Two distinct and complementary experimental approaches will be pursued, based on laser-photolysis, laser-spectroscopic probing and molecular-beam scattering. The laser-based method is well matched to higher-throughput screening of surface composition of a range of samples, while molecular-beam scattering will provide additional information on surface structure for selected liquids. In combination, they will probe the degree of surface segregation in custom-synthesized, high-purity ILs of recognized practical interest. The fundamental new insight that will be generated is most likely to be exploited for societal benefit through its enabling role in the design and optimization of IL materials for numerous environmentally friendly applications. The most direct impact will be on processes involving transport through the gas-liquid interface, including various forms of catalysis. The students and post-docs involved will receive diverse training in modern research methods. They will have ample opportunities to develop broader, transferable skills and enjoy the cultural benefits of international exchange, equipping them to contribute to the future growth or creation of high-technology companies. Outreach will be actively promoted through the creation of a new website and associated YouTube channels. These new resources will promote both the results of the proposed research on ILs and their broader uses in general. Downloadable objects will be suitable for tutorials and other teaching tools, with the goal of enriching researchers, teachers, students, and the lay public.