Structured Ionic Liquids for Functional Products

1033878亚历山大背景与动机离子液体(ILS)是一种在常温下流动的有机盐，是一类具有极大分子多样性和独特性质的新型化合物。许多离子液体具有极低的挥发性以及很高的热稳定性和化学稳定性，这使它们在作为溶剂方面很有前途。ILS提供了多种分子间相互作用，这突显了ILS作为反应介质和在溶解原本不溶的纤维素和碳纳米管方面的成功。广泛的目标是发展基础知识，以支持和指导离子液体在配方化学品或功能产品中的下一代应用，即合理设计以满足特定最终用户要求的多组分系统。在所有功能产品中，多个长度尺度上的内部结构都很重要。ILS特别适合于在其化学固有的短程和长程相互作用的基础上促进结构的形成。在含有IL的产品中，除了结构之外，流动性是一个重要的考虑因素。目标陈述研究人员提出的这项研究的前提是，对离子液体与分子溶剂、两亲性聚合物、聚合物、蛋白质和纳米颗粒相互作用的基本了解是实现基于离子液体的复合流体、软材料、纳米材料和杂化材料以及包含上述材料的消费品和设备的合理配方和结构性能优化的阶段。在这样的多组件系统中，多个相互作用通常是微妙的，它们是相互作用的，但它们在系统属性中的表现可能是深刻的。为此，研究人员的目标是(I)在IL-两亲性二元体系中建立反映在结构和动力学中的可操作的分子间相互作用，(Ii)通过表征由ILS、分子溶剂、两亲性和聚合物组成的多组分体系中的分子结构来寻求协同作用，以及(Iii)评估IL-两亲性混合物适应盐或纳米颗粒的能力，从而促进配方产品的发展。考虑到现实生活中的应用，研究人员将把我们的努力调整到与锂电池中的电解液相关的离子液体-聚合物系统，以及用于染料敏化太阳能电池的IL-纳米粒子系统。智力价值：拟议的研究将加强对离子液体+纳米颗粒混合体系的基本理解，其中纳米颗粒在这里被广泛使用，包括硬/无机或软/有机、高分子或超分子、天然或合成的材料。将这些知识整合到基于IL的产品的合理设计和开发中，可能会对目前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混合物、IL+溶剂混合物和IL+纳米粒子分散体的结构能力和动力学特征。对IL+两亲性体系和分子溶剂+两亲性体系进行了比较。更广泛的影响：这项研究将对旨在开发和商业化包含ILS的电池、燃料电池和太阳能电池的努力产生积极和及时的影响。有关离子液体与水、有机溶剂、(生物)表面活性剂和/或(生物)聚合物之间相互作用的信息将被证明对评估ILS对人类健康的影响及其在环境中的命运很有价值。这一发现对离子液体分析化学的应用也是有益的。该项目将通过将与离子液体、结构和功能产品有关的讲座和项目纳入PI在本科生和研究生水平教授的各种课程，从而将研究和教育结合起来。PI将与本科生一起开发和提供面向高中生和一年级大学生的外展活动。

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.