Ionic structures of nanobased FeCl3/[C4mim]Cl ionic liquids

J Phys Chem B. 2012 Jun 7;116(22):6461-4. doi: 10.1021/jp206819h. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

We synthesized a series of FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl (iron(III) chloride with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) ionic liquids. The temperature dependence of the Raman spectra of the FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl ionic liquids was measured for the first time to analyze their ionic species. In addition, the infrared spectra, thermodynamic properties, and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy were combined together with the Raman spectra to reveal the microscopic information of the FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl ionic liquids. When the mole ratio of FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl is less than 1, the Raman scattering identifies the presence of [FeCl(4)](-) in the ionic liquid. When FeCl(3) is in excess, [Fe(2)Cl(7)](-) begins to appear. Besides, we found that the relative intensity of the two symmetry vibrations of [Fe(2)Cl(7)](-) is changing as the temperature is varied. The strength of the interionic interactions in FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl ionic liquids follows the order 1/1.5 > 1.5/1 > 1/1 due to the formation of [FeCl(4)](-) and [Fe(2)Cl(7)](-). The nanostructures in FeCl(3)/[C(4)mim]Cl ionic liquids were observed for the first time by using biological imaging. The sizes of the local domains are found to be tens of nanometers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorides / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Imidazoles
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Ions
  • 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride
  • ferric chloride