Ionic liquids are room-temperature molten salts, composed mostly of organic ions that may undergo almost unlimited structural variations. This review covers the newest aspects of ionic liquids in applications where their ion conductivity is exploited; as electrochemical solvents for metal/semiconductor electrodeposition, and as batteries and fuel cells where conventional media, organic solvents (in batteries) or water (in polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells), fail. Biology and biomimetic processes in ionic liquids are also discussed. In these decidedly different materials, some enzymes show activity that is not exhibited in more traditional systems, creating huge potential for bioinspired catalysis and biofuel cells. Our goal in this review is to survey the recent key developments and issues within ionic-liquid research in these areas. As well as informing materials scientists, we hope to generate interest in the wider community and encourage others to make use of ionic liquids in tackling scientific challenges.

Ionic-liquid materials for the electrochemical challenges of the future.

A review. Physicochem. properties of ionic liqs. are discussed. Chem. and electrochem. reactivity in ionic liqs. is described including electrode reactions, electrode reaction kinetics, electrosynthesis, etc.

Electrochemical reactivity in room-temperature ionic liquids.

2.2. Cathodic Electropolymerization 4732 2.2.1. Electropolymerization of PPXs and PPVs 4732 3. Charging-Discharging of Conducting Polymers 4733 3.1. Redox Properties of Oligomers and Polymers 4733 3.2. Specific Phenomena of n-Doping 4739 3.3. Conductivity in Charged Systems 4740 4. Controlling the Electropolymerization Process 4742 4.1. Influence of the Polymerization Technique 4742 4.2. Influence of Experimental Conditions 4743 4.3. Electropolymerization in Novel Electrolytic Media 4745

Electrochemistry of Conducting Polymers—Persistent Models and New Concepts†

Here we summarize recent progress in the development of electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) for organic and printed electronics. EGTs employ a high capacitance electrolyte as the gate insulator; the high capacitance increases drive current, lowers operating voltages, and enables new transistor architectures. Although the use of electrolytes in electronics is an old concept going back to the early days of the silicon transistor, new printable, fast-response polymer electrolytes are expanding the potential applications of EGTs in flexible, printed digital circuits, rollable displays, and conformal bioelectronic sensors. This report introduces the structure and operation mechanisms of EGTs and reviews key developments in electrolyte materials for use in printed electronics. The bulk of the article is devoted to electrical characterization of EGTs and emerging applications.

Electrolyte-gated transistors for organic and printed electronics

Ionic liquids (ILs) including ambient-temperature molten salts, which exist in the liquid state even at room temperature, have a long research history. However, their applications were once limited because ILs were considered as highly moisture-sensitive solvents that should be handled in a glove box. After the first synthesis of moisture-stable ILs in 1992, their unique physicochemical properties became known in all scientific fields. ILs are composed solely of ions and exhibit several specific liquid-like properties, e.g., some ILs enable dissolution of insoluble bio-related materials and the use as tailor-made lubricants in industrial applications under extreme physicochemical conditions. Hybridization of ILs and other materials provides quasi-solid materials, which can be used to fabricate highly functional devices. ILs are also used as reaction media for electrochemical and chemical synthesis of nanomaterials. In addition, the negligible vapor pressure of ILs allows the fabrication of electrochemical devices that are operated under ambient conditions, and many liquid-vacuum technologies, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of liquids, electron microscopy of liquids, and sputtering and physical vapor deposition onto liquids. In this article, we review recent studies on ILs that are employed as functional advanced materials, advanced mediums for materials production, and components for preparing highly functional materials.

New frontiers in materials science opened by ionic liquids.

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as electrolytes for electromechanical actuators based on polypyrroles (PPy's) is described. The composition of the electrolytes has a significant effect on the electrochemical properties of the PPy actuator and subsequently on actuator performance, improving cycle life and strain generated. The actuator performance in ionic liquid electrolytes is significantly better than that in traditional organic and aqueous electrolytes.

Deizhi Zhou

Papers

Use of Ionic Liquids as Electrolytes in Electromechanical Actuator Systems Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers