Direct observation of the double-layering quantized growth of mica-confined ionic liquids

Since the interface between ionic liquids (ILs) and solids always plays a critical role in important applications such as coating, lubrication, energy storage and catalysis, it is essential to unravel the molecular structure and dynamics of ILs confined to solid surfaces. Here we report direct observation of a unique double-layering quantized growth of three IL (i.e. [Emim][FAP], [Bmim][FAP] and [Hmim][FAP]) nanofilms on mica. AFM results show that the IL nanofilms initially grow only by covering more surface areas at the constant film thickness of 2 monolayers (ML) until a quantized increase in the film thickness by another 2 ML occurs. Based on the AFM results, we propose a double-layering model describing the molecular structure of IL cations and anions on the mica surface. The interesting double-layering structure can be explained as the result of several competing interactions at the IL-mica interface. Meanwhile, the time-dependent AFM results indicate that the topography of IL nanofilms could change with time and mobility of the nanofilm is lower for ILs with longer alkyl chains, which can be attributed to the stronger solvophobic interaction. The findings here have important implications on the molecular structure and dynamics of ILs confined to solid surfaces.

Structure of cholinium glycinate biocompatible ionic liquid at graphite electrode interface

We use constant potential molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interfacial structure of the cholinium glycinate biocompatible ionic liquid (bio-IL) sandwiched between graphite electrodes with varying potential differences. Through number density profiles, we observe that the cation and anion densities oscillate up to ∼1.5 nm from the nearest electrode. The range of these oscillations does not change significantly with increasing electrode potential. However, the amplitudes of the cation (anion) density oscillations show a notable increase with increasing potential at the negative (positive) electrode. At higher potential differences, the bulkier N(CH₃)₃CH₂ group of cholinium cations ([Ch]⁺) overcomes the steric barrier and comes closer to the negative electrode as compared to oxygen atom (O_[Ch]⁺ ). We observe an increase in the interaction between O_[Ch]⁺ and the positive electrode with a decrease in the distance between them on increasing the potential difference. We also observe hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group of [Ch]⁺ cations and oxygens of glycinate anions through the simulated tangential radial distribution function. Orientational order parameter analysis shows that the cation (anion) prefers to align parallel to the negative (positive) electrode at higher applied potential differences. Charge density profiles show a positive charge density peak near the positive electrode at all the potential differences because of the presence of partially positive charged hydrogen atoms of cations and anions. The differential capacitance (C_d) of the bio-IL shows two constant regimes, one for each electrode. The magnitude of these C_d values clearly suggests potential application of such bio-ILs as promising battery electrolytes.

Aerobic α-hydroxylation of 2-Me-1-tetralone in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids

The aerobic α-hydroxylation of 2-Me-1-tetralone was investigated in imidazol-based ionic liquids (ILs), where reactions in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates were found to generate considerable products. By correlating the conversion at 2 h with viscosity, relative permittivity and the ET(30) value of ILs, we found that the local polarity in ILs represented by the ET(30) value or the chemical shift of α-proton at the substrate was the critical factor influencing the reaction rate. Furthermore, two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D NOESY) was used to characterize the distribution of 2-Me-1-tetralone in ILs. As a result, the mesoscopic structures in ILs were recommended to have crucial influences on the distribution of the substrate in ILs, and the caused local polarity could affect the activation of 2-Me-1-tetralone. These findings revealed the solvent effects of ILs with different structures on the α-hydroxylation of 2-Me-1-tetralone, and may encourage the explorations of more types of aerobic oxidations in ILs.

Clusters of Hydroxyl-Functionalized Cations Stabilized by Cooperative Hydrogen Bonds: The Role of Polarizability and Alkyl Chain Length

We explore quantum chemical calculations for studying clusters of hydroxyl-functionalized cations kinetically stabilized by hydrogen bonding despite strongly repulsive electrostatic forces. In a comprehensive study, we calculate clusters of ammonium, piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, imidazolium, pyridinium, and imidazolium cations, which are prominent constituents of ionic liquids. All cations are decorated with hydroxy-alkyl chains allowing H-bond formation between ions of like charge. The cluster topologies comprise linear and cyclic clusters up to the size of hexamers. The ring structures exhibit cooperative hydrogen bonds opposing the repulsive Coulomb forces and leading to kinetic stability of the clusters. We discuss the importance of hydrogen bonding and dispersion forces for the stability of the differently sized clusters. We find the largest clusters when hydrogen bonding is maximized in cyclic topologies and dispersion interaction is properly taken into account. The kinetic stability of the clusters with short-chained cations is studied for the different types of cations ranging from hard to polarizable or exhibiting additional functional groups such as the acidic C(2)-H position in the imidazolium-based cation. Increasing the alkyl chain length, the cation effect diminishes and the kinetic stability is exclusively governed by the alkyl chain tether increasing the distance between the positively charged rings of the cations. With adding the counterion tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) to the cationic clusters, the binding energies immediately switch from strongly positive to strongly negative. In the neutral clusters, the OH functional groups of the cations can interact either with other cations or with the anions. The hexamer cluster with the cyclic H-bond motive and "released" anions is almost as stable as the hexamer built by H-bonded ion pairs exclusively, which is in accord with recent IR spectra of similar ionic liquids detecting both types of hydrogen bonding. For the cationic and neutral clusters, we discuss geometric and spectroscopic properties as sensitive probes of opposite- and like-charge interaction. Finally, we show that NMR proton chemical shifts and deuteron quadrupole coupling constants can be related to each other, allowing to predict properties which are not easily accessible by experiment.

Aqueous solutions of hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquids: Molecular dynamics studies

A series of aqueous solutions of 1-(n-hydroxyalkyl)-3-(n-hydroxyalkyl) imidazolium bromide ([HOC_nC_mOHIm][Br], with n and m = 2, 6,10 and 14) were studied by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Structural properties were characterized by the radial distribution functions between different pairs, angular distributions and aggregation numbers. Dynamics of the system has been investigated by computing the diffusion of the ions and molecules. Structures of the aggregates formed depend upon the length of the hydroxyalkyl chains. The long-distance spatial correlations observed in solutions with cations having long chain substituent are arising due to the formation of intercalated structures. A thin film like structure is formed in solutions having longer hydroxyalkyl chains, with the structure stabilized by the dispersion interactions between the interdigitated alkyl chains and the hydrogen bond formation between the hydroxyl group of a cation with head group of a different cation. Anions are dispersed near the surface of the film.

Molecular-level insights into the structures, dynamics, and hydrogen bonds of ethylammonium nitrate protic ionic liquid at the liquid-vacuum interface

A series of molecular dynamics simulations have been used to systematically explore the structures, dynamics and hydrogen bonds (HBs) of ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) protic ionic liquid (IL) and their mutual relationship at the liquid-vacuum interface. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that there exists a sandwich structure at the interface, with the double-layer of the EA+ cations on both sides and one intercalated layer of the NO3- anions in the middle. Wherein, the outermost cation layer prefers the orientation with the CH3 groups pointing to the vacuum phase due to the hydrophobic interactions, while the CH3 groups in the second layer direct to the bulk liquid phase owing to the HB formation between their NH3+ groups and the intercalated NO3- anions in the middle layer. On the other hand, the continuous HB strength of the cations in the outermost layer (denoted as Cation-1) is found to be almost identical with the counterpart of the cations in the second layer (denoted as Cation-2), whereas the intermittent HB strength of Cation-1 is much larger than that of Cation-2 at all temperatures. Furthermore, the rotational motion of Cation-1 with the normal vector of the C-C-N plane in the cation is faster than that of Cation-2 with the same vector, resulting from more free space in the outermost layer. On the contrary, the rotational motion of Cation-1 with the vector from the mass center of the cation to its N atom is much slower than that of Cation-2 with the same vector, which can be attributed to the combined effects of the stronger intermittent HBs of Cation-1 and the hydrophobic interactions of its CH3 group in the outermost layer.

Controlling "like-likes-like" charge attraction in hydroxy-functionalized ionic liquids by polarizability of the cations, interaction strength of the anions and varying alkyl chain length

We provide comprehensive understanding of "like-likes-like" charge attraction in hydroxy-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR), quantum chemistry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We show that hydrogen bonding between cation and cation (c-c) is possible despite the repulsive forces between ions of like charge. Already at room temperature, the (c-c) hydrogen bonds can compete with the regular Coulomb-enhanced hydrogen bonds between cation and anion (c-a). For a large set of well-selected ILs, we show that "like-charge attraction" between the OH-functionalized cations is controllable by the polarizability of the cation, the interaction strength of the anion and the length of the hydroxyalkyl chain. In particular, we clarify whether tethering the OH group away from the positive charge center of the cationic ring with longer hydroxyalkyl chains compensates for unfavourable cation/anion combinations with respect to (c-c) cluster formation. For that purpose, we synthesized and characterized twelve ionic liquids including the differently polarizable cations, 1-(n-hydroxyalkyl)-1-methylpiperidinium [HOC_nMPip]⁺ and 1-(n-hydroxyalkyl)-pyridinium [HOC_nPy]⁺, as well as the weakly and strongly interacting anions, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [NTf₂]^- and methanesulfonate [OMs]^-, respectively. On top, we varied the hydroxyalkyl chain length (HOC_n) (n = 2-5). We systematically show how these three molecular ion parameters affect like-charge attraction. The use of polarizable cations, weakly interacting anions, and long alkyl chain tethers results in (c-c) clustering already at room temperature. Kinetic trapping is not a prerequisite for the existence of (c-c) cluster species in ILs. Moreover, we demonstrate that micro structuring affects macroscopic behavior of this type of ILs. We observed that substantial (c-c) interaction prevents ILs from crystallizing. Instead, these ILs supercool and finally form a glass.

Heterogeneity in the microstructure and dynamics of tetraalkylammonium hydroxide ionic liquids: insight from classical molecular dynamics simulations and Voronoi tessellation analysis

Microscopic structural and dynamic heterogeneities were investigated for three ionic liquids (ILs), tetraethylammonium hydroxide, tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide employing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

A uranium capture strategy based on self-assembly in a hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid extraction system

A novel and efficient uranium capture strategy based on self-assembly is developed in an ionic liquid extraction system, by which the one-step separation and solidification of uranium are realized. This not only provides a promising method for separating metal ions but also promotes the development of a supramolecular assembly both in mechanism and application.

Interfacial Domain Formation Enhances Electrochemical Synthesis

The electroorganic C,C coupling of phenols to other aryl components is controlled by the fluoroalcohol-alcohol mixture solvents. Classical molecular dynamics and static density functional theory reveal that both kinds of solvents interact with the substrates, influencing the electronic structure of a phenoxyl radical intermediate in a cooperative manner to achieve maximal efficiency and selectivity. Simulations of the electrolyte-electrode interface showed that the substrates adsorb on the diamond surface in such a way that the repulsive fluorous-lipophilic interactions can be minimized and the attractive lipophilic-lipophilic interplay can be maximized, whereas the advantageous hydrogen bonding with the solvent can be retained. Accordingly, the solvent induces efficiency through the interaction of hydrogen bonding and the structure that controls the mesoscopic separation in these fluids. Since these findings are not specific to electrochemistry, by extending this principle to other heterogeneous processes, e.g., catalysis, their rate, yield, and selectivity can be potentially increased as well.

Cationic clustering influences the phase behaviour of ionic liquids

“Unlike charges attract, but like charges repel”. This conventional wisdom has been recently challenged for ionic liquids. It could be shown that like-charged ions attract each other despite the powerful opposing electrostatic forces. In principle, cooperative hydrogen bonding between ions of like-charge can overcome the repulsive Coulomb interaction while pushing the limits of chemical bonding. The key challenge of this solvation phenomenon is to establish design principles for the efficient formation of clusters of like-charged ions in ionic liquids. This is realised here for a set of well-suited ionic liquids including the same hydrophobic anion but different cations all equipped with hydroxyethyl groups for possible H-bonding. The formation of H-bonded cationic clusters can be controlled by the delocalization of the positive charge on the cations. Strongly localized charge results in cation-anion interaction, delocalized charge leads to the formation of cationic clusters. For the first time we can show, that the cationic clusters influence the properties of ILs. ILs comprising these clusters can be supercooled and form glasses. Crystalline structures are obtained only, if the ILs are dominantly characterized by the attraction between opposite-charged ions resulting in conventional ion pairs. That may open a new path for controlling glass formation and crystallization. The glass temperatures and the phase transitions of the ILs are observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

Atomistic reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation of the viscosity of ionic liquid 1-n-butyl 3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [bmim][Tf2N]

The shear viscosity of room-temperature ionic liquid (IL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [bmim][Tf2N] is calculated over a temperature range 298-353 K, using the reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation technique. The results of this work show that while the use of equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation techniques might be inefficient for viscosity calculations of ILs, the reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics technique is an efficient tool for this purpose. Our findings indicate that the shear rate for crossover from the Newtonian plateau to the shear thinning regime, corresponds to the relaxation time for the slowest microscopic scale motions, i.e., exchange of counterions in an ion's solvation shell (ion-pair relaxation time). The closeness of the time scales and activation energies for zero-shear-rate viscosities to the relaxation times and the corresponding activation energies for ion-pair formation/rupture, connects macroscopic dynamic properties with local atomic-level motions of the IL. The calculated viscosity coefficients and relaxation times for reorientations of the cation and anion as well as their corresponding activation energies are in very good agreement with experimental data.

Probing the tricationic ionic liquid/vacuum interface: insights from molecular dynamics simulations

The surface properties of three symmetric linear tricationic ionic liquids (LTILs) with the common anion, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]⁻), were studied using atomistic molecular dynamics simulation and identification of the truly interfacial molecules (ITIM) analysis.

π+–π+ stacking of imidazolium cations enhances molecular layering of room temperature ionic liquids at their interfaces

The interfacial structure of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is governed by the competing effects of the randomization due to the molecular polarizability and the ordered structure stabilized by π⁺–π⁺ interactions between the cationic molecules of RTILs.

Protic ammonium carboxylate ionic liquids: insight into structure, dynamics and thermophysical properties by alkyl group functionalization

This study is aimed at characterising the structure, dynamics and thermophysical properties of five alkylammonium carboxylate ionic liquids (ILs) from classical molecular dynamics simulations.

Structures of Ionic Liquids Having Both Anionic and Cationic Octyl Tails: Lamellar Vacuum Interface vs Sponge-Like Bulk Order

Numerous experimental and computational studies have shown that the structure of ionic liquids is significantly influenced by confinement and by interactions with interfaces. The nature of the interface can affect the immediate ordering of cations and anions, changing important rheological characteristics relevant to lubrication. Most studies suggest that such changes are local or short-ranged and that bulk properties are reestablished on a length scale of a few nanometers. The current study focuses on the 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium octylsulfate ionic liquid for which both the cation and anion have moderate length linear alkyl tails. For this system, we find that the bulk phase is dominated by the very common sponge-like morphology characteristic of many ionic liquids. However, at the vacuum interface, a lamellar structure is observed that is not restricted to the vicinity of the surface but instead extends across the full 9 nm slab of our simulation. We suspect that in reality it could extend significantly beyond this.

Dual analyzer system for surface analysis dedicated for angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy at liquid surfaces and interfaces

The investigation of liquid surfaces and interfaces with the powerful toolbox of ultra-high vacuum (UHV)-based surface science techniques generally has to overcome the issue of liquid evaporation within the vacuum system. In the last decade, however, new classes of liquids with negligible vapor pressure at room temperature-in particular, ionic liquids (ILs)-have emerged for surface science studies. It has been demonstrated that particularly angle-resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARXPS) allows for investigating phenomena that occur at gas-liquid and liquid-solid interfaces on the molecular level. The results are not only relevant for IL systems but also for liquids in general. In all of these previous ARXPS studies, the sample holder had to be tilted in order to change the polar detection angle of emitted photoelectrons, which restricted the liquid systems to very thin viscous IL films coating a flat solid support. We now report on the concept and realization of a new and unique laboratory "Dual Analyzer System for Surface Analysis (DASSA)" which enables fast ARXPS, UV photoelectron spectroscopy, imaging XPS, and low-energy ion scattering at the horizontal surface plane of macroscopically thick non-volatile liquid samples. It comprises a UHV chamber equipped with two electron analyzers mounted for simultaneous measurements in 0° and 80° emission relative to the surface normal. The performance of DASSA on a first macroscopic liquid system will be demonstrated.

Molecular dynamics study of the effect of alkyl chain length on melting points of [CnMIM][PF6] ionic liquids

Based on molecular dynamics simulations, the melting points Tm of a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquids [CnMIM][PF6] with n = 2, 4, 10, 12, and 14 were studied using the free energy-based pseudosupercritical path (PSCP) method. The experimental trend that the Tm decreases with increasing alkyl chain length for ILs with short alkyl chains and increases for the ones with long alkyl chains was correctly captured. Further analysis revealed that the different trends are the results of the balance between fusion enthalpy and fusion entropy. For the ILs with short alkyl chains (ethyl and butyl groups), fusion entropy plays the dominant role so that [C4MIM][PF6], which has a larger fusion entropy due to its higher liquid phase entropy has the lower melting temperature. As for the ILs with long alkyl chains, due to the enhanced van der Waals interactions brought about by the long non-polar alkyl chains, enthalpy becomes the deciding factor and the melting points increase when the alkyl chain goes from C10 to C14. While the melting points for [C2MIM][PF6] and [C4MIM][PF6] were quantitatively predicted and the trends for the long chain ILs were captured correctly, the absolute melting points for [C10MIM][PF6], [C12MIM][PF6] and [C14MIM][PF6] were systematically overestimated in the simulations. Three possible reasons for the overestimation were studied but all ruled out. Further simulation or experimental studies are needed to explain the difference.

Investigation of the influence of alkyl side chain length on the fluorescence response of C153 in a series of room temperature ionic liquids

Variation of average solvation time with the product of temperature averaged viscosity and the radius of the cation of different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with varying cationic chain length.

Single-step preparation of two-dimensionally organized gold particles via ionic liquid/metal sputter deposition

Sputter deposition of Au onto an ionic liquid with a hydroxyl-functionalized cation produces a uniform monoparticle film on the liquid surface. The size of nanoparticles is controlled by the sputtering conditions.

Quantitative prediction of physical properties of imidazolium based room temperature ionic liquids through determination of condensed phase site charges: a refined force field

Quantitative prediction of physical properties of room temperature ionic liquids through nonpolarizable force field based molecular dynamics simulations is a challenging task. The challenge lies in the fact that mean ion charges in the condensed phase can be less than unity due to polarization and charge transfer effects whose magnitude cannot be fully captured through quantum chemical calculations conducted in the gas phase. The present work employed the density-derived electrostatic and chemical (DDEC/c3) charge partitioning method to calculate site charges of ions using electronic charge densities obtained from periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations of their crystalline phases. The total ion charges obtained thus range between -0.6e for chloride and -0.8e for the PF6 ion. The mean value of the ion charges obtained from DFT calculations of an ionic liquid closely matches that obtained from the corresponding crystal thus confirming the suitability of using crystal site charges in simulations of liquids. These partial charges were deployed within the well-established force field developed by Lopes et al., and consequently, parameters of its nonbonded and torsional interactions were refined to ensure that they reproduced quantum potential energy scans for ion pairs in the gas phase. The refined force field was employed in simulations of seven ionic liquids with six different anions. Nearly quantitative agreement with experimental measurements was obtained for the density, surface tension, enthalpy of vaporization, and ion diffusion coefficients.

Immobilization and molecular rearrangement of ionic liquids on the surface of carbon nanotubes

Two kinds of imidazolium ionic liquids with different weight ratios were absorbed on the outer surface of MWCNTs. The orientational order and properties of ILs immobilized on the MWCNTs' surfaces were analyzed.

The ionic liquid–vacuum outer atomic surface: a low-energy ion scattering study

We have identified elements present in the ionic liquid–vacuum outer atomic surface of 23 ionic liquids using high sensitivity low-energy ion scattering (LEIS), a very surface sensitive technique.

Surface composition/organization of ionic liquids with Au nanoparticles revealed by high-sensitivity low-energy ion scattering

High-sensitivity low-energy ion scattering (HS-LEIS) analysis was used to elucidate the outermost layer of both functionalized and non-functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs). The IL outermost layer is composed of all atoms of both cations and anions. The HS-LEIS analyses also allow for quantitative measurement of the thickness of IL overlayers on Au nanoparticles prepared by sputter deposition, which was shown to be a monolayer of ions, as predicted by density functional theory calculations.