About the interactions between nanoparticles and imidazolium moieties: emergence of original hybrid materials

Ionic Liquids for the Synthesis and Stabilization of Metal Nanoparticles

“…Some reviews note a parallel and synergistic development of both nanoparticles and ionic liquids for materials chemistry [27], while others devote only a short section to the use of ionic liquids in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles [51].…”

Ionic Liquids as Designer Solvents for the Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

“…A series of other reports also strongly suggested interaction between metal nanoparticles and Im-based ILs. However it was found that this interaction with metal surface can take place either via cationic imidazolium ring or the anion or both, which may vary from one IL system to another (Neouze, 2010). In a pioneering work, Dupont and co-workers demonstrated that metal nanoparticles synthesized in Im-based ILs possess outstanding catalytic properties for biphasic hydrogenation reactions, with almost 100% yield (Dupont et al, 2002).…”

“…Although capping agents are generally considered essential during metal nanoparticles synthesis in conventional solvents to stabilize them (Neouze & Schubert, 2008), they are typically not required for nanomaterials synthesis in Im-based ILs. However, it is notable that ligand-free synthesis of metal nanoparticles in ILs, as reported in few reports, is probably a misleading assumption because in these synthesis protocols, although no external ligand is added to stabilize nanoparticles, the Im moiety itself plays the role of both as a solvent, and a stabilizer (Campbell et al, 2010;de Caro et al, 2010;Neouze, 2010;von Prondzinski et al, 2010). Considering the importance of nanoparticles stabilization feature of ILs, we will elaborate on this concept later in this chapter.…”

“…It would probably not be an overstatement to classify ILs as nanostructured solvents, with a potential to direct the tailored synthesis of nanoscale materials. A series of studies in the literature suggests that ILs interact relatively strongly with the surface of metal nanoparticles, which have been summarized in a recent report (Neouze, 2010). In fact, transition metal nanoclusters and nanoparticles stabilization by Im-based ILs is now considered as a classical stabilization method (Ott & Finke, 2007).…”

“…Ionic liquids (ILs), conventionally refereed as 'room temperature ionic liquids' (RTILs) or 'room-temperature molten salt' have recently become attractive reaction media for the "green" synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials due to their interesting physico-chemical properties. For instance, ILs are typically liquid over a range of temperatures (RTILs are liquid at room temperatures, with some showing melting point down to -80 °C), possess negligible vapour pressures, high thermal and chemical stability, high ionic conductivity, broad electrochemical potential window, and high ionic density (Dobbs et al, 2006;Dupont and Scholten, 2009;Ma et al, 2010;Neouze, 2010). These interesting properties of ILs offer distinct advantages over conventional aqueous and organic solvents to explore a range of organic and inorganic materials synthesis.…”