Nanoscale Ionic Materials

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites (nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix) have been the subject of intense research for almost two decades in both academic and industrial settings. This interest has been fueled by the ability of nanocomposites to not only improve the performance of polymers, but also by their ability to introduce new properties. Yet, there are still challenges that polymer nanocomposites must overcome to reach their full potential. In this Research News article we discuss a new class of hybrids termed nanoparticle ionic materials (NIMS). NIMS are organic–inorganic hybrid materials comprising a nanoparticle core functionalized with a covalently tethered ionic corona. They are facilely engineered to display flow properties that span the range from glassy solids to free flowing liquids. These new systems have unique properties that can overcome some of the challenges facing nanocomosite materials.

Canopy Dynamics in Nanoscale Ionic Materials

“…NIMS have been described as monolithic hybrid materials with liquid properties, where each nanostructure "carries" its share of the solvent. 2,33 For this reason, a canopy: corona ratio of 1:1 was chosen as the most reasonable starting point for examining the molecular-level dynamics of NIMS using NMR. canopy in neat, dry samples were measured from the carbon spin-lattice relaxation times (T 1 ) of the methylene peak at 74 ppm.…”

“…One of the key assumptions in NIMS design is that each functionalized nanoparticle carries its share of the solvent or canopy because the charge on the ionic terminal functionality of the corona is balanced by a strongly associated, oppositely-charged canopy. 2,33 If the NIMS canopy were strongly associated with the nanoparticle surface, we would expect the free canopy and NIMS canopy to exhibit very different self-diffusion coefficients. In order to compare the diffusion behavior of M-2070 in the bulk and as the NIMS canopy, we utilized PFG NMR.…”

“…[1][2] NIMs are organic-inorganic hybrids consisting of a core inorganic nanostructure functionalized with a covalently-bound organic corona with ionic terminal functionality and an ionically-tethered, bulky counter-ion as the canopy (Figure 1). In essence, NIMS are nanoparticles modified with an ionic liquid organic coating and either behave as liquids at room temperature or undergo reversible, macroscopic solid-to-liquid transitions near room temperature.…”

Frontiers in Nanoparticle Research: Toward Greater Complexity of Structure and Function of Nanomaterials

“…Giannelis presents an account of surprising new results in the area of NP composites taking a radically new approach to their preparation. [17] With respect to new technical developments in the NP research, it is clear that the complexity of the NPs and, in particularly, their assemblies, is increasing steadily. We believe that this will be the general trend in the foreseeable future.…”

“…[18] The core-stabilizer structure of NPs affords treating them as individual building blocks creating complex 1-, [9,[19][20][21][22] 2-, [11,[23][24][25] and 3-dimensional [26][27][28]23] systems represented in this issue. Assembly of NPs into superstructures of greater complexity is a necessary step in the utilization of nanomaterials, be it in an ordered or in a less-ordered liquidlike [17] state. It is becoming apparent that NP superstructures greatly enhance the spectrum of properties in all functionalities mentioned above, from composites to biological materials, by allowing multiple interactions to be appended simultaneously onto the core of the particle.…”