Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 1-alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C n MPy][Tf2N], n = 3, 4, 6, 8, 10) were conducted using an all-atom model. Radial distribution functions (RDF) were computed and structure functions were generated to compare with new X-ray scattering experimental results, reported herein. The scattering peaks in the structure functions generally shift to lower Q values with increased temperature for all the liquids in this series. However, the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in the longer alkyl chain liquids displays a marked shift to higher Q values with increasing temperature. Alkyl chain-dependent ordering of the polar groups and increased tail aggregation with increasing alkyl chain length were observed in the partial pair correlation functions and the structure functions. The reasons for the observed alkyl chain-dependent phenomena and temperature effects were explored.

Induced mineral precipitation is potentially important for the remediation of contaminants, such as during mineral trapping during carbon or toxic metal sequestration. The prediction of precipitation reactions is complicated by the porous nature of rocks and soils and their interaction with the precipitate, introducing transport and confinement effects. Here X-ray scattering measurements, modeling, and electron microscopies were used to measure the kinetics of calcium carbonate precipitation in a porous amorphous silica (CPG) that contained two discrete distributions of pore sizes: nanopores and macropores. To examine the role of the favorability of interaction between the substrate and precipitate, some of the CPG was functionalized with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) similar to those known to enhance nucleation densities on planar substrates. Precipitation was found to occur exclusively in macropores in the native CPG, while simultaneous precipitation in nanopores and macropores was observed in the functionalized CPG. The rate of precipitation in the nanopores estimated from the model of the X-ray scattering matched that measured on calcite single crystals. These results suggest that the pore-size distribution in which a precipitation reaction preferentially occurs depends on the favorability of interaction between substrate and precipitate, something not considered in most studies of precipitation in porous media.

The distinctive structural organization of dicationic ionic liquids (DILs) with varying alkyl linkage chain lengths is systematically investigated using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In comparison with their counterparts, monocationic ionic liquids (MILs) with free alkyl chains, the DILs with short linkage chains exhibit almost identical structural features regardless of anion types, whereas the long-chain DILs display a relatively insignificant prepeak and low heterogeneity order parameter (HOP), which are accompanied by the less evident structural heterogeneity. Moreover, the predominant role of anion type in the structure of DILs was verified, similar to what is observed in MILs. Finally, the different nanoscale organizations in DILs and MILs are rationalized by the relatively unfavorable straight and folded chain models proposed for the nanoaggregates in DILs and the favorable micelle-like arrangement for those in MILs.

The molecular-scale properties of the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, [C4mim+][Tf2N–], confined in nanometer-scale carbon pores have been investigated using small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering and fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. [C4mim+][Tf2N–] densities significantly higher than that of the bulk fluid at the same temperature and pressure result from the strong affinity of the RTIL cation with the carbon surface during the initial filling of slitlike, subnanometer micropores along the mesopore surfaces. Subsequent filling of cylindrical ∼8 nm mesopores in the mesoporous carbon matrix is accompanied by weak RTIL densification. The relative size of the micropores compared to the ion dimension, and the strong interaction between the RTIL and the slit-like micropore, disrupt the bulk RTIL structure. This results in a low-excluded volume, high-RTIL ion density configuration. The observed interfacial phenomena are simulated using a molecular dynamics model consisting of a linear combination of mesopore and micropore effects. These observations highlight the importance of including the effects of a porous substrate’s internal surface morphology, especially roughness and microporosity, on the resulting electrolyte structural properties and performance in electrical energy storage applications.

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to study the structure of Avicel (FD100) microcrystalline cellulose during enzymatic digestion. Digestions were performed in either of two modes: a static, quiescent mode or a dynamic mode using a stirred suspension recycled through a flow cell. The scattering pattern for as-received Avicel in D(2)O buffer is comprised of a low Q power law region resulting from the surface fractal character of the microcrystalline fibers and a high Q roll-off due to scattering from water-filled nanopores with radii approximately 20 A. For digestions in the dynamic mode the high Q roll-off decreased in magnitude within approximately 1 h after addition of enzymes, whereas in the static digestions no change was observed in the high Q roll-off, even after 60 h. These results indicate that only with significant agitation does enzyme digestion affect the structure of the nanopores.