Self-propelled chemotactic ionic liquid droplets

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Feb 11;51(12):2342-4. doi: 10.1039/c4cc09214g.

Abstract

Herein we report the chemotactic behaviour of self-propelled droplets composed solely of the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride ([P(6,6,6,14)][Cl]). These droplets spontaneously move along an aqueous-air boundary in the direction of chloride gradients to specific destinations due to asymmetric release of [P(6,6,6,14)](+) cationic surfactant from the droplet into the aqueous phase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cations / chemistry
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry
  • Solubility
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Cations
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • tributylmethyl phosphonium chloride
  • Water