Role of the Surfactant Structure in the Behavior of Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids within Aqueous Micellar Solutions

The behavior of an ionic liquid (IL) within aqueous micellar solutions is governed by its unique property to act as both an electrolyte and a cosolvent. The influence of the surfactant structure on the properties of aqueous micellar solutions of zwitterionic SB‐12, nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100, and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of the “hydrophobic” IL 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) is assessed along with the possibility of forming oil‐in‐water microemulsions in which the IL acts as the “oil” phase. The solubility of [bmim][PF₆] within aqueous micellar solutions increases with increasing surfactant concentration. In contrast to anionic SDS, the zwitterionic and nonionic surfactant solutions solubilize more [bmim][PF₆] at higher concentrations and the average aggregate size remains almost unchanged. The formation of IL‐in‐water microemulsions when the concentration of [bmim][PF₆] is above its aqueous solubility is suggested for nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100 aqueous surfactant solutions.     

Interaction of ionic liquid with water with variation of water content in 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6])/TX-100/water ternary microemulsions monitored by solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 and coumarin 490

The interaction of water with room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [bmim][PF6] has been studied in [bmim][PF6]/TX-100/water ternary microemulsions by solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 (C-153) and coumarin 490 (C-490). The rotational relaxation and average solvation time of C-153 and C-490 gradually decrease with increase in water content of the microemulsions. The gradual increase in the size of the microemulsion with increase in w0 (w0=[water]/[surfactant]) is evident from dynamic light scattering measurements. Consequently the mobility of the water molecules also increases. In comparison to pure water the retardation of solvation time in the RTIL containing ternary microemulsions is very less. The authors have also reported the solvation time of C-490 in neat [bmim][PF6]. The solvation time of C-490 in neat [bmim][PF6] is bimodal with time constants of 400 ps and 1.10 ns.     

Optical and Bioelectrochemical Characterization of Water‐Miscible Ionic Liquids Based Composites of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Acidic treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AMWNTs) were ground with water‐miscible room temperature ionic liquids, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄), and resulted in AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite. Its electrical‐ionic conductivity and optical properties were compared with the other two types of carbon materials‐[bmim]BF₄ composites: pyrolytic graphite powder (PGP), pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PMWNTs), through the ac impedance technology and Raman spectroscopy. The impedance data show that AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite exhibits the highest conductivity. Raman spectra study exhibits that the [bmim]BF₄ can form gel with PMWNTs and AMWNTs but only form a viscous liquid with PGP. AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ gel modified GC electrode was applied in direct electrochemistry of heme proteins (Hb and HRP) and it catalysis to the reduction of H₂O₂ was investigated.     

Pressure-Induced Solidification of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate

We have used Raman spectroscopy to investigate the high-pressure phase behavior of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), a representative ionic liquid, at pressures up to ~7.5 GPa. We have also studied how increasing pressure leads to conformational changes in the [bmim]⁺ cation. We have found that liquid [bmim][BF₄] undergoes pressure-induced solidification (freezing) into a superpressed (metastable) state at 2.5 GPa; another structural change probably occurs at ~6 GPa. Remarkably, conformational changes in the [bmim]⁺ cation between trans and gauche conformers are concordant with the metastable structural changes of [bmim][BF₄]. As the pressure is increased from ambient, the fraction of gauche conformers increases, but the gauche fraction decreases above the solidification pressure (2.5 GPa), and slope of the gauche/trans ratio changes again above 6 GPa. We interpret these results in terms of the fragility of the ionic liquid.     

The effect of water on the microstructure of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/TX-100/benzene ionic liquid microemulsions

The ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) forms nonaqueous microemulsions with benzene with the aid of nonionic surfactant TX-100. The phase diagram of the ternary system was prepared, and the microstructures of the microemulsion were recognized. On the basis of the phase diagram, a series of ionic liquid-in-oil (IL/O) microemulsions were chosen and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), which shows a similar swelling behavior to typical water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions. The existence of IL pools in the IL/O microemulsion was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis with CoCl2 and methylene blue (MB) as the absorption probes. A constant polarity of the IL pool is observed, even if small amounts of water are added to the microemulsion, thus suggesting that the water molecules are solubilized in the polar outer shell of the microemulsion, as confirmed by FTIR spectra. 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis shows that these water molecules interact with the electronegative oxygen atoms of the oxyethylene (OE) units of TX-100 through hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the electronegative oxygen atoms of the water molecules attract the electropositive imidazolium rings of [bmim][BF4]. Hence, the water molecules are like a glue that stick the IL and OE units more tightly together and thus make the microemulsion system more stable. Considering the unique solubilization behavior of added water molecules, the IL/O microemulsion system may be used as a medium to prepare porous or hollow nanomaterials by hydrolysis reactions.     

The effect of different interfaces and confinement on the structure of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide entrapped in cationic and anionic reverse micelles

The behavior of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmim][Tf(2)N]) entrapped in two reverse micelles (RMs) formed in an aromatic solvent as dispersant pseudophase: [bmim][Tf(2)N]/benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (BHDC)/chlorobenzene and [bmim][Tf(2)N]/sodium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT)/chlorobenzene, was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopies. DLS results reveal the formation of RMs containing [bmim][Tf(2)N] as a polar component since the droplet size values increase as the W(s) (W(s) = [[bmim][Tf(2)N]]/[surfactant]) increases. Furthermore, it shows that the RMs consist of discrete spherical and non-interacting droplets of [bmim][Tf(2)N] stabilized by the surfactants. Important differences in the structure of [bmim][Tf(2)N] entrapped inside BHDC RMs, in comparison with the neat IL, are observed from the FT-IR and (1)H NMR measurements. The electrostatic interactions between anions and cations from [bmim][Tf(2)N] and BHDC determine the solvent structure encapsulated inside the nano-droplets. It seems that the IL structure is disrupted due to the electrostatic interaction between the [Tf(2)N](-) and the cationic BHDC polar head (BHD(+)) giving a high ion pair degree between BHD(+) and [Tf(2)N](-) at a low IL content. On the other hand, for the AOT RMs there is no evidence of strong IL-surfactant interaction. The electrostatic interaction between the SO(3)(-) group and the Na(+) counterion in AOT seems to be stronger than the possible [bmim](+)-SO(3)(-) interaction at the interface. Thus, the structure of [bmim][Tf(2)N] encapsulated is not particularly disrupted by the anionic surfactant at all W(s) studied, in contrast to the BHDC RM results. Nevertheless, there is evidence of confinement in the AOT RMs because the [bmim](+)-[Tf(2)N](-) interaction is stronger than in bulk solution. Thus, the IL is more associated upon confinement. Our results reveal that the [bmim][Tf(2)N] structure can be modified in a different manner inside RMs by varying the kind of surfactant used to create the RMs and the IL content (W(s)). These facts can be very important if these media are used as nanoreactors because unique microenvironments can be easily created by simply changing the RM components and W(s).     

Solvent relaxation of a room-temperature ionic liquid [bmim][PF6] confined in a ternary microemulsion

In this paper we have reported the solvent and rotational relaxation of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) confined in tween 20/([bmim][PF₆]/water microemulsion using coumarin 153 (C-153) as probe. The most interesting feature of our experiment was that we observed an increase in solvent relaxation time with increase in R (R = tween 20-to-[bmim][PF₆] molar ratio). This is due to the fact that with increase in [bmim][PF₆] content of the microemulsions, the microviscosity of the pool of the microemulsions increases, and motion of ions of [bmim][PF₆] is hindered in the pool of microemulsions. Since motion of ions is responsible for solvation in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), solvent-relaxation time increases with increase in R.     

Dependence on Oil Chain‐Length of the Curvature Elastic Properties of Nonionic Surfactant Films: Droplet Growth from Spheres to a Bicontinuous Network

Using NMR self‐diffusion and ²H‐NMR relaxation experiments, we have investigated growth of oil‐in‐water microemulsion droplets when spontaneous curvature is lowered, starting at emulsification failure boundary. We compare two ternary nonionic microemulsion systems, containing penta‐ethylene glycol dodecyl ether (C₁₂E₅), and decane or hexadecane, at same surfactant‐to‐oil ratio and approximately the same spontaneous curvature. Droplet growth in microemulsions appears in general to be only minor. Quantitative differences between the two systems indicate differences in the curvature elastic constants.     

Towards a Molecular Understanding of Cation–Anion Interactions—Probing the Electronic Structure of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids by NMR Spectroscopy,X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations

Ten [C₈C₁Im]⁺ (1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium)‐based ionic liquids with anions Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, [NO₃]^?, [BF₄]^?, [TfO]^?, [PF₆]^?, [Tf₂N]^?, [Pf₂N]^?, and [FAP]^? (TfO=trifluoromethylsulfonate, Tf₂N=bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, Pf₂N=bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, FAP=tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate) and two [C₈C₁C₁Im]⁺ (1,2‐dimethyl‐3‐octylimidazolium)‐based ionic liquids with anions Br^? and [Tf₂N]^? were investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. While ¹H NMR spectroscopy is found to probe very specifically the strongest hydrogen‐bond interaction between the hydrogen attached to the C² position and the anion, a comparative XPS study provides first direct experimental evidence for cation–anion charge‐transfer phenomena in ionic liquids as a function of the ionic liquid’s anion. These charge‐transfer effects are found to be surprisingly similar for [C₈C₁Im]⁺ and [C₈C₁C₁Im]⁺ salts of the same anion, which in combination with theoretical calculations leads to the conclusion that hydrogen bonding and charge transfer occur independently from each other, but are both more pronounced for small and more strongly coordinating anions, and are greatly reduced in the case of large and weakly coordinating anions.     

Phase Behavior of n‐Butanol/n‐Octane/Water/Cationic Gemini Surfactant System

Phase diagrams of the n‐butanol/n‐octane/water/(12‐3‐12,2Br^?1) system were determined, where n‐octane usually represents oil (O), 12‐3‐12,2Br^?1 is a gemini cationic surfactant trimethylene‐1,3‐bis(dodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide) abbreviated as S, and n‐butanol is a co‐surfactant written as A. Effects of the weight ratio of gemini surfactant to cosurfactant, S/A, and of temperature on the phase behavior were studied. The microemulsion structures including O/W, bi‐continuous (B.C.), W/O, and liquid crystal were determined by the conductivity method and polarization measurement. Experimental results show that the gemini surfactant, used facilitates the formation of microemulsions compared with its corresponding monomeric surfactant, n‐dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). When S/A=1/1, and the total concentration of gemini surfactant and alcohol is 20–40%, microemulsions with higher water content can form in a wider region. When the temperature increases, the size and position of each type of microemulsion region changes notably.     

A characteristic effect of pressure on inclusion complexation of phenothiazine dyes with p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene in a room-temperature ionic liquid

The inclusion complexation of p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (Calix-S6) with three kinds of phenothiazine dyes was studied spectrophotometrically in a mixture of a room-temperature ionic liquid [bmim]BF₄ (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) and ethanol. We have determined the association constants of Calix-S6 with phenothiazine dyes under external static pressure up to 767 bar in the [bmim]BF₄-ethanol and alcohol-water mixtures. With increasing external pressure, the inclusion equilibrium in the alcohol-water mixtures was shifted to the dissociation side. Conversely, the inclusion equilibrium of methylene blue (MB) and azure A (AA) in the ionic liquid mixture was shifted to the association side. From the analysis of the pressure effects, the reaction volumes ΔV for inclusion complexation were estimated as −7 to 9 cm³ mol⁻¹ in the [bmim]BF₄-ethanol mixture and 20–32 cm³ mol⁻¹ in the alcohol-water mixtures. Based on the results, we have suggested that there is a competing complexation between the included dye and [bmim]BF₄ molecules in the ionic liquid.     

Nanodroplet Cluster Formation in Ionic Liquid Microemulsions

A common ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmimBF₄), is used as polar solvent to induce the formation of a reverse bmimBF₄‐in‐toluene IL microemulsion with the aid of the nonionic surfactant Triton X‐100. The swelling process of the microemulsion droplets by increasing bmimBF₄ content is detected by dynamic light scattering (DLS), conductivity, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and freeze‐fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF–TEM). The results show that the microemulsion droplets initially formed are enlarged by the addition of bmimBF₄. However, successive addition of bmimBF₄ lead to the appearance of large‐sized microemulsion droplet clusters (200–400 nm). NMR spectroscopic analysis reveal that the special structures and properties of bmimBF₄ and Triton X‐100 together with the polar nature of toluene contribute to the formation of such self‐assemblies. These unique self‐assembled structures of IL‐based microemulsion droplet clusters may have some unusual and unique properties with a number of interesting possibilities for potential applications.     

Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate in the presence of ionic liquid

Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization (MROP) of trimethylene carbonate in the presence of 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄) ionic liquid was investigated. In the presence of 5 wt % [bmim]BF₄, poly (trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with a number‐average molar mass (M_n) of 36,400 g/mol was obtained at 5 W for only 60 min. The M_n of PTMC synthesized in the presence of [bmim]BF₄ was much higher than that produced in bulk at the same reaction time. In addition, compared with those produced by conventional heating, the M_n of PTMC and monomer conversion by MROP with or without [bmim]BF₄ were both higher. Thermal properties of the resulting PTMC were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. Under microwave irradiation in the presence of ionic liquid, the polymerization could be carried out efficiently and effectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5857–5863, 2007     

Enzymatic polyester synthesis in ionic liquids

The enzymatic synthesis of polyesters by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and polycondensation in three ionic liquids, i.e., [bmim][Tf₂N], [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] was investigated. For the enzymatic ROP of ε-caprolactone it was found that [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] result in an inhomogeneous reaction mixture upon polymerization, causing polymerization characteristics similar to bulk polymerization. In contrast, for [bmim][Tf₂N] characteristics similar to toluene were observed. Molecular weights of 7000-9500 g/mol were obtained. In the polycondensation of dimethyl adipate and dimethyl sebacate, respectively, with 1,4-butanol the low volatility of ionic liquids was successfully utilized to perform the reactions in an open vessel at temperatures close to the boiling point of the condensation by-product. Molecular weights up to 5400 g/mol were obtained. This, in combination with the tunable solvent hydrophilicity of ionic liquids could offer an advantage in the polymerization of highly polar monomers with low solubility in organic solvents.     

Interfacial Composition,Thermodynamic Properties,and Structural Parameters of [bmim][BF4] + Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide + Alkanol+Toluene Microemulsions

The interfacial composition, thermodynamic properties and structural characteristics of [bmim][BF₄] + CTAB + alkanol + toluene microemulsions were studied by the method of dilution under varied temperatures (298 K, 308 K, 318 K). The compositions of surfactant and cosurfactant at the interfacial region, the distribution of cosurfactant between the interfacial region and the continuous oil phase have been estimated. The thermodynamics of transfer of cosurfactant from the continuous oil phase to the interface have been evaluated. The structural parameters viz. radii of the droplet (R _e) and the ionic liquid pool (R _IL), the thickness of the interfacial layer (l), the number of droplets (N _d) have also been estimated assuming monodispersity of the spherical droplets.     

Study on the Polarity of bmimPF6/Tween80/toluene Microemulsion Characterized by UV-Visible Spectroscopy

With the aid of nonionic surfactant Tween80, the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆) forms nonaqueous microemulsions with toluene. The phase diagram of the ternary system was prepared at 25°C. It was demonstrated that there were a single-phase region and a two-phase region in the ternary phase diagram. The single-phase region could be further divided into toluene-in-bmimPF₆, bicontinuous and bmimPF₆-in-toluene microemulsion regions by electrical conductivity. And by the use of methyl orange as an absorption probe, the polarity of the bmimPF₆-in-toluene microemulsion was probed by UV-vis spectroscopy. A relatively constant polarity of the microemulsion droplets is obtained in the bmimPF₆ microemulsion.     

Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Highly Viscous Media: A Comparison between the Dispersive Agents [BMIM][BF4], L121, and Triton X‐100

Dispersions of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by using the room‐temperature ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄] (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), the triblock copolymer Pluronic L121 [poly(ethylene oxide)₅‐poly(propylene oxide)₆₈‐poly(ethylene oxide)₅] and the non‐ionic surfactant Triton X‐100 (TX100) in the pure state. The size of the SWNTs aggregates and the dispersion degree in the three viscous systems depend on the sonication time, as highlighted by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy analysis. A nonlinear increase in conductivity can be observed as a function of the SWNTs loading, as suggested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The generation of a three‐dimensional network of SWNTs showing a viscoelastic gel‐like behavior above a critical percolation concentration has been found at 25 °C in all the investigated systems by oscillatory rheology measurements.     

Effect of imidazolium salts on the catalytic reaction of 1,3-dioxolanes with methyl diazoacetate

Effect of imidazolium salts, [bmim]⁺Cl^?, [bmim]⁺BF₄ ^?, and [bmim]⁺PF₆ ^?, on the reaction of 1,3-dioxolanes with methyl diazoacetate in the presence of copper-containing catalysts was studied. The product composition was found to depend on the reaction conditions and the nature and ratio of components of the catalytic system.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis（chloromethyl）oxacyclobutane in ionic liquids

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane catalyzed by BF_3·OEt_2 was carried out in ionic liquids [bmim]BF_4 and [bmim]PF_6.The influences of BCMO concentration and molar ratio of BCMO/BF_3·OEt_2 on the molecular weights and yield of PBCMO were investigated.The polymerization in ionic liquids proceed to high conversions,although molecular weights are limited,similar to polymerization in organic solvent such as CH_2Cl_2.Follow a viewpoint of green chemistry, we feel ionic liquid [bmim]BF_4 is superior to [bmim]PF_6.Extracting [bmim]PF_6 from the product using organic solvent as extractant limits its advantage as a green reaction media.     

Aggregation behavior of alkyl triphenyl phosphonium bromides in aprotic and protic ionic liquids

The aggregation behavior of alkyltriphenylphonium bromides, C _n TPB (n?=?12 and 14), has been investigated in two different room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs), the aprotic 1-butyl-3-metyllimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), and the protic ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). The critical micelle concentration was determined by the surface tension measurements. The calculated thermodynamic parameters based on surface tension measurements at various temperatures indicate that the micellization for C _n TPB in both aprotic [bmim][BF₄] and protic EAN is enthalpy-driven. But stronger solvophobic interactions presented between C _n TPB and protic EAN than aprotic [bmim][BF₄]. ¹H NMR spectra were further conducted to reveal that ethylammonium cation can insert into the micelle while imidazole cation only locates among the head groups of C _n TPB.