Gelation of ionic liquids by small-molecule gelators and their applications

W. P. Singh,Utpal Koch,R. S. Singh

Published 2020 in Soft Materials

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Ionic liquids (ILs) are atypical organic salts with many attractive features such as low melting point, low vapor pressure, high thermal stability, and non-flammability. These desirable traits have enabled them to be used in applications like catalysis, green organic reactions, electrochemical devices, extraction & separation, pharmaceutics, etc. Furthermore, the properties of the ionic liquids can be improved and the range of functional applications expanded if they are used in the form of ionic liquid-gel phase-materials or ionic liquid-gels (IL-gels). Typically, immobilization of ILs is carried out by mixing with different nanoparticles, polymers or small-molecules under appropriate conditions. Gel electrolytes, lubricants, solar cells, fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical devices, drug release, etc., are some of the applications where IL-gels have contributed significantly. Using small molecules to prepare IL-gels is easy, convenient, and similar to preparing organogels or hydrogels from organic solvents or water. The number of IL-gelators is pretty limited when compared to the large number of reported organogelators and hydrogelators. A detailed review focused on IL-gelators and their functional applications have so far not been undertaken. Here, we will provide an up-to-date summary and highlight the successes, challenges, and future opportunities of this emerging research area.

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REFERENCES

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