Micellization of long-chain ionic liquids in deep eutectic solvents.

Tan, Xiuniang; Zhang, Jianling; Luo, Tian; Sang, Xinxin; Liu, Chengcheng; Zhang, Bingxing; Peng, Li; Li, Wei et al. · Soft Matter · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The aggregation behavior of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride with different alkyl chain lengths in a deep eutectic solvent (DES, composed of choline chloride and glycerol in a 1 : 2 mole ratio) was studied for the first time. The critical micellar concentration, micellar size and intermolecular interactions in IL/DES solutions were investigated by different techniques including the fluorescence probe technique, small angle X-ray scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The solvophobic effect dominates the micellization of CnmimCl in DES and the intermolecular hydrogen-bond interaction plays a positive role to promote micelle formation. The micellar solutions were utilized for the synthesis of the water-unstable metal-organic framework Cu3(BTC)2 (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) at room temperature. X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms confirm the formation of crystalline Cu3(BTC)2 nanocrystals with mesoporous structures. The morphologies and porosity properties of Cu3(BTC)2 nanocrystals can be modulated by varying the concentration of CnmimCl.