Molecular-level analysis of the wetting behavior of imidazolium-based ionic liquids on bismuth telluride surfaces

Uncovering the Properties of Dicationic Ionic Liquid Nanodroplets through Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The behavior of nanodroplets of an imidazolium-based dicationic ionic liquid, i.e., [C1(mim)2][PF6]2, was investigated in this study using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The vibrational features as well as the structural, interfacial, and dynamical properties of different sized droplets were analyzed and compared to the bulk phase system. Structural properties of the droplets, such as π-π stacking, radial distribution functions, structure factors, combined distribution functions, and angular distribution functions were analyzed to understand the interactions and orientations of their ions. The vibrational features and hydrogen bonding strength of droplets were studied by calculating their infrared (IR) and power spectra, determining the contribution of different types of hydrogen bonding to each vibrational mode. The calculated spectra showed good overall agreement with the experimental results. The interfacial properties of the droplets and the orientation of their ions were analyzed using density profiles and an exposed surface. The results showed that, in all systems studied, cations and anions were equally likely to exist in both inner and outer layers, and the cations tended to be oriented toward the center of droplets with obtuse angles. Additionally, the droplet densities were extrapolated to predict the bulk phase density with less than 2% deviation. The dynamical properties of hydrogen bonds, mean square displacement, and van Hove correlations of cations and anions were also analyzed. The results indicated that there was no regular trend in the dynamic properties of droplets with an increasing system size.

Effect of Ion Pair on Contact Angle for Phosphonium Ionic Liquids

The wettability of ionic liquids (ILs) is relevant to their use in various applications. However, a mechanistic understanding of how the cation-anion pair affects wettability is still evolving. Here, focusing on phosphonium ILs, wettability was characterized in terms of contact angle using experiments and classical molecular dynamics simulations. Both experiments and simulations showed that the contact angle was affected by the anion and increased as benzoate < salicylate < saccharinate. Further, the simulations showed that the contact angle decreased with increasing cation alkyl chain length for these anions paired with five different tetra-alkyl-phosphonium cations. The trends were explained in terms of adhesive and cohesive energies in the simulations and then correlated to the atomic scale differences between the anions and the cations.

Disentangling the liquid phase exfoliation of two-dimensional materials: an "in silico" perspective

Liquid Phase Exfoliation (LPE) is one of the most successful synthetic roots for the preparation of two-dimensional (2D) materials from their bulk counterparts. In recent years, significant progress has been accomplished for the development and modification of LPE techniques. However, precise identification of the hierarchical steps of the molecular mechanism of LPE remains to some extent elusive. Additionally, the a priori choice of suitable solvents for successful exfoliation and dispersion of various layered materials poses a challenge for both academia and industry. Computational methods, particularly Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations with classical force-fields have contributed a great deal towards the understanding of the underlying mechanism of LPE, providing remarkable insights into the molecular-level details of the solvent-material interactions at the nanoscale and predicting "good" and "bad" solvents for exfoliation as well as stabilization of the dispersed state. With an intention to build up a unified understanding, in this perspective article, we summarize the recent advancements of molecular simulation techniques employed to decipher the mechanism of LPE, pointing out the key features of molecular interactions and identifying several thermodynamic parameters governing the phenomena. In addition, we outline the necessary characteristics of solvent molecules, essential for their use as "good" solvents towards LPE. Also, we highlight the limitations of simulation methods for the modelling of LPE. We believe that this article will be beneficial for the selection of solvents for the synthesis of novel 2D materials via LPE and will also provide a comprehensive view to computational material scientists towards the development of novel simulation protocols for investigating and analysing such complex molecular events.

The wetting behavior of aqueous imidazolium based ionic liquids: a molecular dynamics study

Aqueous ionic liquids are of particular interest due to their tunability of physical and chemical properties and a deeper understanding of their structure-property relationship is desired. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to study the wetting behavior of aqueous imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs), consisting of a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium [EMIM]+ cation and either a hydrophilic boron tetrafluoride [BF4]- or a hydrophobic bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [NTF2]- anion mixed in water. To understand the effect of anion and concentration of ILs at the graphite solid-liquid interface, wettability studies were performed with IL concentrations from 0-50 wt%. The contact angle of aqueous IL droplets decreases with increasing IL concentration. Droplet characteristics near the surface were investigated by profiling the density perpendicular (z-direction) and horizontal (r-direction) to the graphite sheet; this was further quantified by an orientation order parameter. Due to the preferred adsorption of ILs, water depletes near the surface as IL concentration increases. The hydrophobic [NTF2]- anion forces the IL toward the interface from the bulk, whereas the hydrophilic [BF4]- anion causes the IL to remain in the bulk of the droplet. Differences in water-anion hydrogen bonding, the nature of the anions, and their interfacial tensions are crucial factors in the wetting behavior of aqueous ionic liquids.