In this book we have collected a series of state-of-the art papers written by specialists in the field of ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) to address key questions concerning the synthesis, properties, and applications of ILCs. New compounds exhibiting ionic liquid crystalline phases are presented, both of calamitic as well as discotic type. Their dynamic and structural properties have been investigated with a series of experimental techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance, impedance spectroscopy to mention but a few. Moreover, computer simulations using both fully atomistic and highly coarse-grained force fields have been presented, offering an invaluable microscopic view of the structure and dynamics of these fascinating materials.
In this book we have collected a series of state-of-the art papers written by specialists in the field of ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) to address key questions concerning the synthesis, properties, and applications of ILCs. New compounds exhibiting ionic liquid crystalline phases are presented, both of calamitic as well as discotic type. Their dynamic and structural properties have been investigated with a series of experimental techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance, impedance spectroscopy to mention but a few. Moreover, computer simulations using both fully atomistic and highly coarse-grained force fields have been presented, offering an invaluable microscopic view of the structure and dynamics of these fascinating materials.
In this book we have collected a series of state-of-the art papers written by specialists in the field of ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) to address key questions concerning the synthesis, properties, and applications of ILCs. New compounds exhibiting ionic liquid crystalline phases are presented, both of calamitic as well as discotic type. Their dynamic and structural properties have been investigated with a series of experimental techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance, impedance spectroscopy to mention but a few. Moreover, computer simulations using both fully atomistic and highly coarse-grained force fields have been presented, offering an invaluable microscopic view of the structure and dynamics of these fascinating materials.
The work focuses on recent developments of the rapidly evolving field of Non-conventional Liquid Crystals. After a concise introduction it discusses the most promising research such as biosensing, elastomers, polymer films , photoresponsive properties and energy harvesting. Besides future applications it discusses as well potential frontiers in LC science and technology.
The second edition is based on the original book, which has been revised, updated and expanded in order to cover the latest information on this rapidly growing field. The book begins with a description of general and electrochemical properties of ionic liquids and continues with a discussion of applications in biochemistry, ionic devices, functional design and polymeric ionic liquids. The new edition includes new chapters on Li ion Batteries and Actuators, as well as a revision of existing chapters to include a discussion on purification and the effects of impurities, adsorption of ionic liquids on interfaces and on the electrochemical double layer, among other topics.
Ionic liquids, including the newer subcategory of deep eutectic solvents, continue to attract a great deal of research attention in an even increasing number of areas, including traditional areas such as synthesis (organic and materials), electrochemistry, and physical property studies and predictions, as well as less obvious areas such as lubrication and enzymatic transformations. In this volume, recent advances in a number of these different areas are reported and reviewed, thus granting some appreciation for the future that ionic liquid research holds and affording inspiration for those who have not previously considered the application of ionic liquids in their area of interest.
Supercapacitors are a relatively new energy storage system that provides higher energy density than dielectric capacitors and higher power density than batteries. They are particularly suited to applications that require energy pulses during short periods of time, e.g., seconds or tens of seconds. They are recommended for automobiles, tramways, buses, cranes, fork-lifts, wind turbines, electricity load leveling in stationary and transportation systems, etc. Despite the technological maturity of supercapacitors, there is a lack of comprehensive literature on the topic. Many high performance materials have been developed and new scientific concepts have been introduced. Taking into account the commercial interest in these systems and the new scientific and technological developments now is the ideal time to publish this book, capturing all this new knowledge. The book starts by giving an introduction to the general principles of electrochemistry, the properties of electrochemical capacitors, and electrochemical characterization techniques. Electrical double layer capacitors and pseudocapacitors are then discussed, followed by the various electrolyte systems. Modelling, manufacture of industrial capacitors, constraints, testing, and reliability as well as applications are also covered. 'Supercapacitors - Materials, Systems, and Applications' is part of the series on Materials for Sustainable Energy and Development edited by Prof. G.Q. Max Lu. The series covers advances in materials science and innovation for renewable energy, clean use of fossil energy, and greenhouse gas mitigation and associated environmental technologies.
Structures, Bonding and Hydrogen Bonds, by Kun Dong, Qian Wang, Xingmei Lu, Suojiang Zhang Aggregation in System of Ionic Liquids, by Jianji Wang, Huiyong Wang Dissolution of Biomass Using Ionic Liquids, by Hui Wang, Gabriela Gurau, Robin D. Rogers Effect of the Structures of Ionic Liquids on Their Physical-Chemical Properties, by Yu-Feng Hu, Xiao-Ming Peng Microstructure study of Ionic liquids by spectroscopy, by Haoran Li Structures and Thermodynamic Properties of Ionic Liquids, by Tiancheng Mu, Buxing Han
'The overall book content is excellently coordinated to form a synchronised story, interesting to a broad scientific audience … The book summarises the present knowledge in the field, introduces fundamental concepts to the beginners, describes key measuring methods and presents several different typical demonstrative systems, some of them exhibiting an extraordinary rich spectrum of structures and superstructures. I am sure that with time the book will become an attractor to a broad audience (physicists, chemists, material scientists, engineers, etc.), ranging from students, beginners in the field to experienced researchers. To summarise, this is the book that I have been missing on my bookshelf.'Liquid Crystals TodayWhile liquid crystals are today widely known for their successful application in flat panel displays (LCDs), academic liquid crystal research is more and more targeting situations where these anisotropic fluids are put to completely different use, in varying contexts. A particularly strong focus is on colloidal liquid crystals, where particles, bubbles or drops are dispersed in a liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal can act as a host phase, with the inclusions constituting foreign guests that disturb the local order in interesting ways, often resulting in large-scale positional arrangement and/or uniform alignment of the guests. But it may also be formed by solid particles themselves, if these are of nanoscale dimensions and of disc- or rod-shape, and if they are suspended in an isotropic liquid host at sufficient concentration.This book aims to cover both the modern research tracks, gathering pioneering researchers of the different subfields to give a concise overview of the basis as well as the prospects of their respective specialties. The scope spans from curiosity-driven fundamental scientific research to applied sciences. Over the course of the next decade, the former is likely to generate new tracks of the latter type, considering the exploratory and productive phase of this young research field.
This is an exciting stage in the development of organic electronics. It is no longer an area of purely academic interest as increasingly real applications are being developed, some of which are beginning to come on-stream. Areas that have already been commercially developed or which are under intensive development include organic light emitting diodes (for flat panel displays and solid state lighting), organic photovoltaic cells, organic thin film transistors (for smart tags and flat panel displays) and sensors. Within the family of organic electronic materials, liquid crystals are relative newcomers. The first electronically conducting liquid crystals were reported in 1988 but already a substantial literature has developed. The advantage of liquid crystalline semiconductors is that they have the easy processability of amorphous and polymeric semiconductors but they usually have higher charge carrier mobilities. Their mobilities do not reach the levels seen in crystalline organics but they circumvent all of the difficult issues of controlling crystal growth and morphology. Liquid crystals self-organise, they can be aligned by fields and surface forces and, because of their fluid nature, defects in liquid crystal structures readily self-heal. With these matters in mind this is an opportune moment to bring together a volume on the subject of ‘Liquid Crystalline Semiconductors’. The field is already too large to cover in a comprehensive manner so the aim has been to bring together contributions from leading researchers which cover the main areas of the chemistry (synthesis and structure/function relationships), physics (charge transport mechanisms and optical properties) and potential applications in photovoltaics, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). This book will provide a useful introduction to the field for those in both industry and academia and it is hoped that it will help to stimulate future developments.
