Issue 8, 2008

Ionic liquids as amphiphileself-assembly media

Abstract

In recent years, the number of non-aqueous solvents which mediate hydrocarbon–solvent interactions and promote the self-assembly of amphiphiles has been markedly increased by the reporting of over 30 ionic liquids which possess this previously unusual solvent characteristic. This new situation allows a different exploration of the molecular “solvophobic effect” and tests the current understanding of amphiphile self-assembly. Interestingly, both protic and aprotic ionic liquids support amphiphile self-assembly, indicating that it is not required for the solvents to be able to form a hydrogen bonded network. Here, the use of ionic liquids as amphiphile self-assembly media is reviewed, including micelle and liquid crystalline mesophase formation, their use as a solvent phase in microemulsions and emulsions, and the emerging field of nanostructured inorganic materials synthesis. Surfactants, lipids and block co-polymers are the focus amphiphile classes in this critical review (174 references).

Graphical abstract: Ionic liquids as amphiphile self-assembly media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
11 apr 2008
First published
25 iyn 2008

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008,37, 1709-1726

Ionic liquids as amphiphile self-assembly media

T. L. Greaves and C. J. Drummond, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008, 37, 1709 DOI: 10.1039/B801395K

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