Ionic Liquids in Material Synthesis Functional Nanoparticles and Other Inorganic Nanostructures

Ionic Liquids in Material Synthesis Functional Nanoparticles and Other Inorganic Nanostructures 

Markus Antonietti, Bernd Smarsly, and Yang Zhou 

Apart from the extensive use of ILs in catalysis and organic/inorganic synthesis [11,12] (see also Chapter 5 and Section 6.1) their advantages for materials chemistry, and especially for the synthesis of novel nanostructures, have been only gradually realized in recent years. This contribution will actualize a recent review [13] and aims to introduce this specific field of ionic liquid applications which undoubtedly promises great potential for future research and development. 

ILs have been used in the electrosynthesis of nanostructures the preparation of various metallic nanoparticles, such as palladium [14], iridium [15], or semiconductor nanoparticles, such as stable Ge-nanoclusters [16], have been described. In some cases, wire-like structures were obtained, for instance Ti nanowires formed on graphite by electroreduction, as described by Freyland et al. [17]. In aU these cases, mainly the large electrochemical window and the relatively high polarity of ILs are exploited. 

As ILs can reach electrochemical windows of more than 4 V, depending on the cation/anion combination, they have also been used as solvents for the electrodeposition of high quality nanocrystalline films of a wide range of metals, alloys and semiconductors, especially a whole range of elements that caimot be electrode-posited from aqueous solution, such as the light and refractory metals. The related work has been well reviewed [18]. 

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