Laying the foundation stone for future applications of hybrid nanoaprticles networks by NMR spectroscopy investigation of ionic dynamics

01.01.2010 - 31.12.2011
Research funding project
Among the extraordinary development of Nanoscale Ionic Materials (NIMS), numerous hybrid organic / inorganic materials were developed containing imidazolium based moieties (HybrIm+). Such materials are very promising for many different applications, like among others catalysis, luminescence or electrolytes. Regarding the two most important applications domains for HyrdIm+ compounds, namely catalysis and electrolytes, the fundamental investigation of ions interaction, organization and dynamic is of crucial interest. The study of hybrid material consisting of nanoparticles bridged via covalently linked ionic groups, MyOz/Im+/X-, started for more than one year at the Vienna University of Technology. This study was governed by the need to prevent any organic moiety¿s leaching while HybrIm+ is in use. The presented materials are the first to propose to covalently associate the imidazolium active moiety to an inorganic part, silica or titania, which also could play a decisive role toward potential applications (photocatalysis, etc.). A synergy between the metal oxide and the imidazolium is awaited as well as a possible substantive simplification of many processes, using only ¿all-in-one¿ materials, in opposition to the association of many (e.g. eletrolyte + titania or silica nanoparticles). This assumption is based on the numerous clues reported in literature about the remarkably promising potential of NIMS of Ion Gels. Already, very promising results were obtained. Moreover, it is very unlikely, or even unrealistic, to design a material for a targeted application without before understanding its properties. Thus, it evidences the necessity of starting investigations concerning the physico-chemical properties of the compound as well as investigations about the ions interactions and dynamics in order to design the best candidate for conductivity applications. Solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is now well established as a perfect tool of investigation for complex materials. All NMR interactions, including the chemical shift as well as the dipolar and quadrupolar interactions, can act as potential structural spies for the study of the structure and dynamics of a given material. Solid state NMR is pertinent for the study of dynamics through the set up of variable temperature experiments, exchange spectroscopy, line shape analysis, relaxation time measurements, etc. It follows that this technique can be considered as a multi time-scale method suitable for the study of mobility and dynamics in complex materials. For this reason, this fundamental research¿s proposal aims: ¿ First, to identify the conducting entities in systems like HybrIm+. ¿ And secondly, to determine which association - nanoparticle / ionic ligand - can provide the better adequation to promote high ionic dynamics. Answering these two items should lay the foundation stone for future applied development of the MyOz/Im+/X- hybrid materials.

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Project leader

Institute

Grant funds

  • OeAD-GmbH - Agentur für Bildung und Internationalisierung (National) Austrian Exchange Service (OeAD)

Keywords

GermanEnglish
hybrid materialienhybrid materials
nanopartikelnnanoparticles
imidazoliumimidazolium
Nuclear Magnetic ResonanceMagnetische Kern Resonanz
dynamicdynamik

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