No abstract

We review recent works on the synthesis and application of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs). Novel chemical structures, different synthetic strategies and controllable morphologies are introduced as a supplement to PIL systems already reported. The primary properties determining applications, such as ionic conductivity, aqueous solubility, thermodynamic stability and electrochemical/chemical durability, are discussed. Furthermore, the near-term applications of PILs in multiple fields, such as their use in electrochemical energy materials, stimuli-responsive materials, carbon materials, and antimicrobial materials, in catalysis, in sensors, in absorption and in separation materials, as well as several special-interest applications, are described in detail. We also discuss the limitations of PIL applications, efforts to improve PIL physics, and likely future developments.

The transformation of CO into fuels and chemicals by photocatalysis is a promising strategy to provide a long-term solution to mitigating global warming and energy-supply problems. Achievements in photocatalysis during the last decade have sparked increased interest in using sunlight to reduce CO . Traditional semiconductors used in photocatalysis (e.g. TiO ) are not suitable for use in natural sunlight and their performance is not sufficient even under UV irradiation. Some two-dimensional (2D) materials have recently been designed for the catalytic reduction of CO . These materials still require significant modification, which is a challenge when designing a photocatalytic process. An overarching aim of this Review is to summarize the literature on the photocatalytic conversion of CO by various 2D materials in the liquid phase, with special attention given to the development of novel 2D photocatalyst materials to provide a basis for improved materials.