Collaborative Research: Structure and Dynamics of Solvate Ionic Liquids: A Mixed Experimental and Computational Approach

在化学系化学结构、动力学和机理A(CSDM-A)计划的支持下，路易斯安那州立大学的Daniel Kuroda和Revati Kumar教授以及维拉诺瓦大学的Ryan Jorn教授正在使用复杂的激光实验和计算机模拟相结合的方法来研究溶剂化离子液体。由于正负电荷之间的强烈吸引，大多数离子化合物(如食盐)在室温下是固体。然而，情况并不总是如此。在某些情况下，正离子和负离子可以在室温下以液体的形式存在，尽管有很强的作用力。这些离子液体具有独特的性质，可用于各种应用。不幸的是，只有几个例子，这使得很难根据特定需求调整它们的属性。在溶剂型离子液体(SILs)中，类溶剂分子附着在阳离子上，形成一种新型的混合物，具有类似离子液体的性质，但可以在化学上进行调节。黑田东彦、库马尔和乔恩教授正在将计算机模拟与实验测量相结合，以确定离子在液体中的分子堆积如何影响它们的性质。他们的发现可能会对许多技术产生影响，包括清洁能源储存所需的下一代电池。该项目还为将成为下一代科学家和工程师的学生提供了研究机会。此外，这项工作还通过一个简单的教育推广项目“波波伊电池”(以路易斯安那州著名的三明治命名)影响了普通社区，在这个项目中，初中生和高中生用普通的家用材料制造了一个功能电池。研究小组正在通过开发跨越多个长度尺度的综合计算-实验形式论来推动溶剂化离子液体领域的发展。这种协同作用将候选SILs的纳米尺度分子环境与介观尺度上的涌现行为以及它们在金属表面上的稳定性联系在一起。这些联系是通过将基于分子的实验(如传统的和时间分辨的红外光谱)与原子模拟、电化学实验和粗粒度建模相结合来实现的。该提案中制定的框架阐明了对溶剂型离子液体的更多了解，从而直接影响到快速增长的领域，如开发用于有机合成的新溶剂和下一代储能电解液。参与这个项目的学生获得了激光光谱方法和计算机模拟算法方面的专业知识。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanisms A (CSDM-A) program in the Division of Chemistry, Professors Daniel Kuroda and Revati Kumar of Louisiana State University and Professor Ryan Jorn of Villanova University are studying solvate ionic liquids using a combination of sophisticated laser experiments and computer simulations. As a result of the strong attraction between the positive and negative charges, most ionic compounds (like table salt) are solids at room temperature. This is not always the case, however. In some cases, the positive and negative ions can exist as a liquid at room temperature, despite the strong forces. These ionic liquids have unique properties that can be harnessed for a variety of applications. Unfortunately, there are only a few examples, which makes it difficult to adjust their properties for specific needs. In solvate ionic liquids (SILs), solvent-like molecules are stuck to the positive ions, resulting in a novel mixture that has ionic liquid-like properties, but which can be chemically tuned. Professors Kuroda, Kumar and Jorn are combining computer simulation with experimental measurement to determine how the molecular packing of the ions in the liquid influences their properties. Their discoveries could have impact on many technologies, including next generation batteries needed for clean energy storage. The project is also providing research opportunities for students who will become the next generation of scientists and engineers. In addition, this work impacts the general community through a simple educational outreach project entitled "The Po’boy Battery" (named after the famous Louisiana sandwich), in which middle and high school students build a functional battery from common household materials.The research team is advancing the field of solvate ionic liquids via the development of an integrated computational - experimental formalism spanning multiple length scales. The synergy connects the nanoscale molecular environments of candidate SILs to emergent behavior at the mesoscale and their stability at metal surfaces. These connections are achieved by combining molecular based experiments (such as conventional and time resolved infrared spectroscopy) with atomistic simulations, electrochemical experiments, and coarse-grained modeling. The framework developed in this proposal is elucidating a greater understanding of solvate ionic liquids, thereby directly impacting rapidly growing areas such as the development of new solvents for organic synthesis and next-generation energy storage electrolytes. The students involved in this project gain expertise in laser spectroscopic methods as well as computer simulation algorithms.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.