1. Anion Architecture Controls Structure and Electroresponsivity of Anhalogenous Ionic Liquids in a Sustainable Fluid.
- Author
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Li S, Hammond OS, Nelson A, de Campo L, Moir M, Recsei C, Shimpi MR, Glavatskih S, Pilkington GA, Mudring AV, and Rutland MW
- Abstract
Three nonhalogenated ionic liquids (ILs) dissolved in 2-ethylhexyl laurate (2-EHL), a biodegradable oil, are investigated in terms of their bulk and electro-interfacial nanoscale structures using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflectivity (NR). The ILs share the same trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium ([P
6,6,6,14 ]+ ) cation paired with different anions, bis(mandelato)borate ([BMB]- ), bis(oxalato)borate ([BOB]- ), and bis(salicylato)borate ([BScB]- ). SANS shows a high aspect ratio tubular self-assembly structure characterized by an IL core of alternating cations and anions with a 2-EHL-rich shell or corona in the bulk, the geometry of which depends upon the anion structure and concentration. NR also reveals a solvent-rich interfacial corona layer. Their electro-responsive behavior, pertaining to the structuring and composition of the interfacial layers, is also influenced by the anion identity. [P6,6,6,14 ][BOB] exhibits distinct electroresponsiveness to applied potentials, suggesting an ion exchange behavior from cation-dominated to anion-rich. Conversely, [P6,6,6,14 ][BMB] and [P6,6,6,14 ][BScB] demonstrate minimal electroresponses across all studied potentials, related to their different dissociative and diffusive behavior. A mixed system is dominated by the least soluble IL but exhibits an increase in disorder. This work reveals the subtlety of anion architecture in tuning bulk and electro-interfacial properties, offering valuable molecular insights for deploying nonhalogenated ILs as additives in biodegradable lubricants and supercapacitors.- Published
- 2024
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