Structured Ionic Liquids for Functional Products

离子液体（Ionic liquids，IL），在环境条件下为流体的有机盐，是一类具有组合上巨大的分子多样性和独特性质的新型化合物。许多离子液体表现出非常低的挥发性和高的热稳定性和化学稳定性，使它们有希望作为溶剂。强调离子液体作为反应介质和溶解不溶性纤维素和碳纳米管的成功，是离子液体提供的多种分子间相互作用。 广泛的目标是发展基础知识，以支持和指导离子液体在配制化学品或功能产品中的下一代应用，即，合理设计的多组分系统，以满足特定的最终用途要求。多个长度尺度的内部结构在所有功能产品中都很重要。离子液体是唯一适合于促进结构的基础上，在其化学固有的短期和长期的相互作用。除了结构之外，迁移率是含IL产品的重要考虑因素。研究人员将拟议的研究建立在这样的前提上，即对离子液体与分子溶剂、两亲物、聚合物、蛋白质和纳米颗粒相互作用的基本理解是对基于离子液体的复杂流体、软材料、纳米材料和混合物的合理配方和结构性能优化的一个有利阶段，以及包含上述材料的消费产品和装置。多种相互作用，往往是微妙的，在这样的多组分系统中串联起作用，但它们在系统特性中的表现可能是深刻的。为此，研究人员的目标是（i）建立在结构和动力学中反映的二元IL-两亲物系统中的分子间相互作用，（ii）通过表征由IL，分子溶剂，两亲物和聚合物组成的多组分系统中的分子组织来追求协同作用，以及（iii）评估IL-两亲物共混物容纳盐或纳米颗粒的能力，从而促进向配制产品的发展。考虑到真实的生活应用，研究人员将调整我们的努力，以离子液体聚合物系统，这是相关的锂电池电解质，和离子液体纳米粒子系统的染料敏化太阳能电池。智力优势：拟议的研究将增强对离子液体+纳米颗粒混合体系的基本理解，其中纳米颗粒在这里广泛用于涵盖硬/无机或软/有机，大分子或超分子，天然或合成的材料。将这一知识纳入以IL为基础的产品的合理设计和开发中，可能会对目前尚处于萌芽状态的活动产生潜在的变革性影响。 其他新的方面包括离子液体的共混物的表征，IL +溶剂混合物和IL +纳米粒子分散体相对于它们的结构化能力和动力学。并对IL +两亲物体系和分子溶剂+两亲物体系进行了比较。更广泛的影响：这项研究将对电池、燃料电池和太阳能电池的开发和商业化产生积极和及时的影响。离子液体和水，有机溶剂，（生物）表面活性剂和/或（生物）聚合物之间的相互作用的信息将被证明是有价值的，在评估对人类健康的影响和他们的命运在环境中的离子液体。研究结果对离子液体在分析化学中的应用也有一定的参考价值。该项目将通过将与离子液体，结构和功能产品相关的讲座和项目纳入PI在本科和研究生阶段教授的各种课程中，来整合研究和教育。PI将与本科生一起开发和提供面向高中和大学一年级学生的外展活动。

1033878AlexandridisBackground & Motivation Ionic liquids (ILs), organic salts that are fluid at ambient conditions, are a novel class of compounds with a combinatorially great molecular diversity and unique properties. The very low volatility and high thermal and chemical stability that many ILs exhibit, render them promising as solvents. Underscoring the successes of ILs as reaction media and in dissolving the otherwise insoluble cellulose and carbon nanotubes, are the multiple intermolecular interactions that ILs afford. The broad goal is the development of fundamental knowledge to support and guide the next generation applications of ionic liquids in formulated chemicals or functional products, i.e., multi component systems that are rationally designed to meet specific end use requirements. Internal structure over multiple length scales is important in all functional products. ILs are uniquely suited to facilitate structuring on the basis of the short and long range interactions inherent in their chemistry. In addition to structure, mobility is an important consideration in IL containing products. Statement of Objectives The investigators base the proposed research on the premise that fundamental understanding of interactions of ionic liquids with molecular solvents, amphiphiles, polymers, proteins, and nanoparticles is an enabling stage toward the rational formulation and structure property optimization of ionic liquid-based complex fluids, soft materials, nanomaterials, and hybrids, as well as consumer products and devices that incorporate the above materials. Multiple interactions, often subtle, act in tandem in such multi component systems, but their manifestation in system properties can be profound. To this end, the investigators aim to (i) establish operating intermolecular interactions in binary IL-amphiphile systems as reflected in structure and dynamics, (ii) pursue synergisms by characterizing molecular organization in multi component systems consisting of ILs, molecular solvents, amphiphiles, and polymers, and (iii) assess IL-amphiphile blends for their ability to accommodate salts or nanoparticles, thus facilitating the advancement to formulated products. Having real life applications in mind, the investigators will tailor our efforts to ionic liquid-polymer systems that are relevant as electrolytes in lithium batteries, and to IL-nanoparticle systems for dye-sensitized solar cells. Intellectual Merit: The proposed research will enhance the fundamental understanding of ionic liquid + nanoparticle hybrid systems, where nanoparticle is used here broadly to encompass materials that are hard/inorganic or soft/organic, macromolecular or supramolecular, natural or synthetic. The integration of this knowledge into the rational design and development of IL-based products could have a potentially transformative effect in what is currently a nascent activity. Other novel aspects include the characterization of blends of ionic liquids, of IL + solvent mixtures and of IL + nanoparticle dispersions with respect to their structuring ability and dynamics. Also, the comparison of IL + amphiphile systems and molecular solvent + amphiphile systems. Broader Impacts: This research will have a positive and timely impact on efforts directed toward the development and commercialization of batteries, fuel cells and solar cells that incorporate ILs. Information on interactions between ionic liquids and water, organic solvents, (bio)surfactants and/or (bio)polymers will prove valuable in assessing the impact of ILs on human health and their fate in the environment. The findings should also be beneficial to the analytical chemistry applications of ILs. This project will integrate research and education by incorporating lectures and projects related to ionic liquids, structuring and functional products in the various courses that the PI teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The PI together with undergraduate students will develop and offer outreach activities geared toward high school and 1st year college students.