Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access

Abstract

Evolution of Self-organization and gelation in Laponite Ionogels

Nidhi Joshi and Kamla Rawat

We report formation of colloidal gel network in aqueous laponite dispersions containing ionic liquid (IL). With the passage of time, these flowing dispersions reorganized and attained a solid-like rigid structure. Structural reorganization of clay platelets in the IL environment caused reduction in the inter platelet repulsion due the IL-double layer screening and facilitated formation of stronger ionogels for samples with [IL] < 0.03% (w/v). Dynamic structure factor data revealed transition from ergodic to non-ergodic state is faster at higher IL concentration ([IL] > 0.03% (w/v)). The structure factor comprised two relaxation modes diffusion fast mode followed by an anomalous slow mode. The slow mode was frozen at all IL concentrations whereas the fast mode contained two diffusion coefficients both strongly dependent on IL concentration. In summary, laponite gels could be systematically customized in IL solutions to generate a range of soft materials with properties solely dependent on IL concentration which may not exceed 0.05% (w/v).