Nature of long-range correlations of density fluctuations in glass-forming liquids

Based on a concise review of the experimental data, a theory of the structural, kinetic, and dynamic features of the Fischer cluster is put forward. This theory is based on the idea of heterophase fluctuations of glass-forming liquids. According to these ideas in a one-component liquid the solidlike and fluidlike transient associations of molecules (fluctuons) are formed. The fluctuons differ in the short-range order and, consequently, in the free energy. They form a random free energy landscape. The random field free energy functional of the Ginzburg-Landau type, which accounts for the free energy landscape, is deduced. Based on this, the phase equilibrium, critical behavior, and ordering phenomena of the heterophase liquid are considered. It is shown that in the critical region an effective attractive interaction of the fluctuons results in their gravitation and formation of correlated fractal aggregations. The aggregation consists of the fluctuons of similar short-range order. The fractal aggregation formation is a special structural state of the liquid above the glass transition temperature. The condition at which the aggregations are formed is formulated. Thus it is shown that the Fischer cluster is an array of fractal aggregations of fluctuons. The growth kinetics and dynamics of the Fischer cluster are described. The experimental data are analyzed and discussed using the theory that is put forward.     

Mutual diffusion in binary mixtures of ionic liquids and molecular liquids by dynamic light scattering (DLS)

The present study shows that dynamic light scattering (DLS) is capable of measuring mutual diffusion coefficients for binary mixtures of ionic liquids (ILs) with different molecular liquids over the complete composition range. Evidence is given that the light scattering signals are related to true molecular binary diffusion. The method stands out due to its ability to work non-invasively in macroscopic thermodynamic equilibrium with reasonable accuracy and within convenient measurement periods. Compared with other techniques, mixtures with distinctly higher viscosities can be probed. For exemplary binary mixtures of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([EMIM][EtSO(4)]) with acetone, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, ethanol, or water as well as of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ([EMIM][MeSO(3)]) with acetone, water, or methanol, mutual diffusivity data were measured over a wide range of composition at a temperature of 293.15 K. In general, the mutual diffusivity increases with increasing mole fraction of the molecular liquid and similarities to aqueous solutions of classical inorganic salts can be found. The characteristic behavior of the mutual diffusion coefficients is influenced by the nature of the chosen molecular liquid. For IL water mixtures, low light scattering intensities were observed despite the large refractive index difference of the pure components. The reason for this behavior may be the existence of water clusters in the mixtures. Additional measurements for IL acetone mixtures at temperatures ranging from 278.15 K to 323.15 K showed that the temperature dependence of the mutual diffusivity can be represented by Arrhenius functions and is increasing for decreasing mole fractions of acetone.     

Liquid-phase structure of dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids from computer simulations

We present a detailed computational study of the structure of ionic liquids based on the imidazolium cation. Both imidazolium-ring stacking and hydrogen bonding behavior are investigated from radial and spatial orientational distribution functions, as well as orientational correlation functions. The alkyl chain size and anion effect on the liquid structure are provided and discussed. Our results support models for liquid organization comparable to those formulated on the basis of experimental observations.     

Dynamic fluctuations and spatial inhomogeneities in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/clay nanocomposite hydrogels studied by dynamic light scattering

The contributions of the dynamic fluctuations and the frozen-in inhomogeneities to the total light scattering intensity observed in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/clay nanocomposite hydrogels were analyzed by applying the nonergodic method proposed by Pusey and van Megen. Approximately 90% of the total scattering intensity corresponds to the frozen-in component. The scattering intensity of the fluctuating component is smaller by far than that of a pure clay suspension, indicating that the thermal fluctuations of the clay particles are largely suppressed upon network formation. Accordingly, the fluctuating component consists of two contributions: one due to the polymer chains and the other, smaller one representing the residual mobility of the clay particles. The latter depends on how tightly the clay particles are fixed in the network. The dynamic features of the nanocomposite hydrogels are described by two relaxation modes. The fast one is purely diffusive and can be related to a dynamic correlation length of 6-8 nm, which is similar to that of a corresponding polymer solution. The relaxation time of the slow mode varies appreciably with sample position even though the data had been treated with the nonergodic method.     

Chloroalkylsulfonate ionic liquids by ring opening of sultones with organic chloride salts

An efficient route to prepare ionic liquids with chloroalkylsulfonate anions is presented; the synthesis proceeds in a one-step ring-opening reaction of sultones with an organic chloride salt and provides a very attractive access to new anion functionalised ionic liquids.     

Alkyltrioctylphosphonium chloride ionic liquids: synthesis and physicochemical properties

A series of alkyltrioctylphosphonium chloride ionic liquids, prepared from trioctylphosphine, and the respective 1-chloroalkane (C(n)H(2n+1)Cl), where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 14, is presented. The cynosure of this work is the manner in which the variable chain length impacts the physical properties, such as melting points/glass transitions, thermal stability, density and viscosity. Experimental density and viscosity data were interpreted using QPSR correlations and group contribution methods. We present the first example of an empirical alternation effect for ionic liquids.     

High current density electrodeposition from silver complex ionic liquids

Liquid metal salts are electrolytes with the highest possible metal concentration for electrodeposition, because the metal ion is an integral part of the solvent. This paper introduces the new ionic silver complexes [Ag(MeCN)(4)](2)[Ag(Tf(2)N)(3)], [Ag(MeCN)][Tf(2)N] and [Ag(EtIm)(2)][Tf(2)N], where MeCN stands for acetonitrile, EtIm for 1-ethylimidazole and Tf(2)N is bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. These complexes have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, single crystal X-ray crystallography, thermogravimetrical analysis, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. [Ag(MeCN)(4)](2)[Ag(Tf(2)N)(3)] is a room temperature ionic liquid. Smooth silver layers of good quality could be deposited from it, at current densities of up to 25 A dm(-2) in unstirred solutions. [Ag(EtIm)(2)][Tf(2)N] melts at 65 °C and can be used as an electrolyte for silver deposition above this temperature. [Ag(MeCN)][Tf(2)N] has a melting point that is too high to be useful in electrodeposition. Addition of thiourea or 1H-benzotriazole to the electrolyte decreased the surface roughness of the silver coatings. The morphology of the metal layers was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Adsorption of 1H-benzotriazole on the silver metal surface has been proven by Raman spectroscopy. This work shows the usefulness of additives in improving the quality of metal films electrodeposited from ionic liquids.     

Dumbbell-shaped polyelectrolyte brushes studied by depolarized dynamic light scattering

We present the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of dumbbell-shaped polyelectrolyte brushes (DPB). The core of these particles consists of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene) onto which a dense brush shell of poly(styrene sulfonate) is grafted. The morphology of DPB particles is studied in solution by cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate that well-defined DPB are generated that react to external stimuli such as surfactant and salt concentration. The rotational diffusion and collective relaxations of the DPB particles were monitored by depolarized dynamic light scattering (DDLS). Here we found a new relaxation mode in the DDLS-signal that can be ascribed to collective fluctuations of the polyelectrolyte layer affixed to the surface of the dumbbells.     

Cyanuric chloride catalyzed Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in biodegradable ionic liquids

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) containing ester moieties in the side chain were successfully used as an alternative to traditional ILs in the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes catalyzed by 2,4,6-trichloro[1,3,5]triazine. The procedure is mild and suitable for both aromatic and cycloaliphatic substrates affording the rearrangement products in good to quantitative yields. The process is eco-sustainable since these ILs are biodegradable and in addition they can be recovered and reused.     

Time evolution of density fluctuation in supercritical region. I. Non-hydrogen-bonded fluids studied by dynamic light scattering

The time evolution of the density fluctuation of molecules inhomogeneously dispersing in a mesoscopic volume is investigated by dynamic light scattering in several fluids in supercritical states. This study is the first time-domain investigation to compare the dynamics of density fluctuation among several fluids. The samples used are non-hydrogen-bonded fluids in the supercritical states: CHF(3), C(2)H(4), CO(2), and xenon. These four molecules have different properties but are of similar size. Under these conditions, the relationship between dynamic and static density inhomogeneities is studied by measuring the time correlation function of the density fluctuation. In all cases, this function is characterized by a single exponential function, decaying within a few microseconds. While the correlation times in the four fluids show noncoincidence, those values agree well with each other when scaled to a dimensionless parameter. From the results of this scaling based on the Kawasaki theory and Landau-Placzek theory, the relation between dynamics and static structures is analyzed, and the following four insights are obtained: (i) viscosity is the main contributor to the time evolution of density fluctuation; (ii) the principle of corresponding state is observed by the use of time-domain data; (iii) the Kawasaki theory and the Landau-Placzek theory are confirmed to be applicable to polar, nonpolar, and nondipolar fluids that have no hydrogen bonding, at temperatures relatively far from critical temperature; and (iv) the density fluctuation correlation length and the value of density fluctuation are estimated from the time-domain data and agree with the values from other experiments and calculations.     

Theory of dynamic light scattering by polymers and gels

It is shown under very general conditions that the intermediate scattering function for the generalized Rouse—Zimm model always takes the simple form G(K, t) α exp[?K²(k_BT/f)t], when the scattering vector K becomes sufficiently large. (Here k_B is Boltzmann's constant, T is the absolute temperature and f is the individual bead friction factor.) A microscopic formulation for the bulk modulus and friction factor density of a gel network is incorporated into the viscoelastic continuum model of Tanaka et al. The resulting expression for the apparent long-wavelength diffusion coefficient of the gel is D_G = (k_BT/f)2(1 - 2/Φ), where Φ is the network functionality.     

Communication: X-ray scattering from ionic liquids with pyrrolidinium cations

We report the structure functions obtained from x-ray scattering experiments on a series of four homologous ionic liquids. The ionic liquids are 1-alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cations paired with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion, with alkyl chain lengths of n = 4, 6, 8, and 10. The structure functions display two intense diffraction peaks for values of the scattering vector q in the range from 0.6 to 1.5 ?(-1) for all samples. Both diffraction peaks shift to lower values of q for increasing temperature. First sharp diffraction peaks are observed in the structure functions for q < 0.5 ?(-1) for liquids with n = 6, 8, and 10.     

Low density ionogels obtained by rapid gellification of tetraethyl orthosilane assisted by ionic liquids

A non-hydrolytic one pot sol-gel method has been used to synthesize mesoporous silica ionogels with the confined ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium tetra fluoro-borate [EMIM][BF(4)]. The precursor for obtaining the SiO(2) matrix was tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and formic acid was used as a catalyst. These ionogels have been characterized by density measurements, TEM, BET, DSC, TGA and FTIR. The incorporation of the ionic liquid [EMIM][BF(4)] enhances the gellification rate which results in the ionogels having very low density (~0.3 g cm(-3)). The low density has been explained on the basis of the creation of 'blind embedded pores' in the matrix (apart from open pores) due to very rapid gellification (~1 min). Morphological studies provide experimental evidence for the presence of blind pores/voids inside the ionogel ingots. We have also shown that the IL entrapped in nanopores (~7-8 nm pore size) of the SiO(2) matrix has different physical properties than the bulk IL viz. (a) the phase transition temperatures (T(g), T(c) and T(m)) of the IL change upon confinement, (b) the thermal stability reduces upon confinement, and (c) the pore wall interaction with the IL results in changes in the C-H vibrations of the imidazolium ring and alkyl chain (the former increasing) which is also indicated in our DFT-calculation.     

Electrode screening by ionic liquids

In this work we are concerned with the short-range screening provided by the ionic liquid dimethylimidazolium chloride near a charged wall. We study the free energy profiles (or potentials of mean force) for charged and neutral solutes as a function of distance from a charged wall. Four different wall charge densities are used in addition to a wall with zero charge. The highest magnitude of the charge densities is ±1 e nm(-2) which is close to the maximum limit of charge densities accessible in experiments, while the intermediate charges ±0.5 e nm(-2) are in the range of densities typically used in most of the experimental studies. Positively and negatively charged solutes of approximately the size of a BF ion and a Cl(-) ion are used as probes. We find that the ionic liquid provides excellent electrostatic screening at a distance of 1-2 nm. The free energy profiles show minima which are due to layering in the ionic liquid near the electrodes. This indicates that the solute ions tend to displace ionic liquid ions in the layers when approaching the electrode. The important role of non-electrostatic forces is demonstrated by the oscillations in the free energy profiles of uncharged solutes as a function of distance from the wall.     

Dynamic light scattering in mixed alkali metaphosphate glass forming liquids

We report the first ever photon correlation spectroscopy performed on single alkali and mixed alkali metaphosphate glasses at refractory temperatures above the glass transition. We find not only a significant decrease in the glass transition temperature but also a decrease in fragility for the mixed alkali composition as compared with the single akali glasses. We argue that structural relaxation in these polymeric oxide glasses is largely controlled by the cross linking cations and that the changes in fragility that we observed are a reflection of changes in the cooperativity of structural relaxation wrought by the substantial decrease in the ion mobility that accompanies the mixing of alkali ions.     

Three dimensional cross-correlation dynamic light scattering by non-ergodic turbid media

We investigate dynamic light scattering by non-ergodic turbid media with an adapted version of the method proposed by Pusey and van Megen [Physica A 157, 705 (1989)]. Our formulation follows the derivation of the original method by extending it to the three dimensional cross-correlation scheme (3DDLS). The main finding is an expression to obtain the dynamic structure factor from light scattering that takes into account the system turbidity and the peculiarities of the 3D geometry. From 3DDLS measurements in well-controlled solid-like systems of different turbidity, we confirm that our results can be interpreted reasonably well by the theoretical approach described here. Good agreement is found with earlier reported results on similar systems.     

Particle growth of hybrid materials followed by dynamic light scattering

The hydrolysis of distannylated compounds in which the tin atoms are linked by an organic spacer has been studied under microemulsion conditions using dynamic light scattering and infrared spectroscopy. The experiments provided evidence that the growth of hybrid material particles occurs in the aqueous phase, outside the organic phase of the microemulsion. The growth rates of the particles were found to be strongly dependent on the nature of the spacers, a polymethylene chain inducing the fastest process. This different behavior was explained by a slower condensation process rather than a slower hydrolysis. The high surface areas measured for the hybrid materials could be explained by a possible coating of the hybrid particles by surfactant molecules, thus preventing either their growth or their aggregation.     

Static and dynamic light scattering in turbid suspensions

The application of static and dynamic light scattering to many colloidal systems of practical interest has often been considered too complicated due to strong multiple scattering. There are two new approaches to overcome this problem. One of them aims at suppressing contributions from multiple scattering using novel cross‐correlation schemes. While this relies on the suppression of multiple scattering, the so‐called diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) works in the limit of very strong multiple scattering. DWS can be used for the characterization of dynamic and static properties of colloidal systems on a large range of time and length scales ranging from a few Ångstroms to hundreds of nanometers. We demonstrate that a wealth of information can be obtained from these methods on the structure, dynamics, interaction effects, stability, aggregation, and sol‐gel transition in colloidal dispersions.