Effects of alcohols and counterions on the phase behavior of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride aqueous solution

Phase behavior of ternary systems involving 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C8mim]Cl), water, and different alcohols (1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol, and 1-dodecanol) is investigated at 25 degrees C. With the use of polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques, lyotropic lamellar phases (Lalpha) are identified in all systems, the formation of which is considered as a synergetic result of the hydrophobic force and the hydrogen-bonded network comprising an imidazolium ring, Cl-, water, and alcohols. In these Lalpha phases, alcohol molecules play important roles not only because they could partly penetrate into the palisade layer with their hydroxyl groups extruded to form the network at the aggregate interface, but also because they could partly locate themselves in the interior of the hydrophobic bilayers to twist with the alkyl chains of [C8mim]Cl. Influencing factors such as the carbon chain length and content of different alcohols on these Lalpha phases are discussed. With comparison to analogous ternary systems of [C8mim]BF4 and [C8mim]PF6, it is found that the strong interaction between counterions and alcohols favors the appearance of ordered assemblies.