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Related Concept Videos

Ions and Ionic Charges03:27

Ions and Ionic Charges

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In ordinary chemical reactions, the nucleus — which contains the protons and neutrons of each atom and thus identifies the element — remains unchanged. Electrons, however, can be added to atoms by transfer from other atoms, lost by transfer to other atoms, or shared with other atoms. The transfer and sharing of electrons among atoms govern the chemistry of the elements. During the formation of some compounds, atoms gain or lose electrons to form electrically charged particles called...
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Ionic Radii03:10

Ionic Radii

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Ionic radius is the measure used to describe the size of an ion. A cation always has fewer electrons and the same number of protons as the parent atom; it is smaller than the atom from which it is derived. For example, the covalent radius of an aluminum atom (1s22s22p63s23p1) is 118 pm, whereas the ionic radius of an Al3+ (1s22s22p6) is 68 pm. As electrons are removed from the outer valence shell, the remaining core electrons occupying smaller shells experience a greater effective nuclear...
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Ionic Bonds00:42

Ionic Bonds

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Overview
When atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration they form ions. Ionic bonds are electrostatic attractions between ions with opposite charges. Ionic compounds are rigid and brittle when solid and may dissociate into their constituent ions in water. Covalent compounds, by contrast, remain intact unless a chemical reaction breaks them.
Opposing Charges Hold Ions Together in Ionic Compounds
Ionic bonds are reversible electrostatic interactions between ions...
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Molecular and Ionic Solids02:54

Molecular and Ionic Solids

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Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
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Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer02:48

Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer

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Ions are atoms or molecules bearing an electrical charge. A cation (a positive ion) forms when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell, and an anion (a negative ion) forms when a neutral atom gains one or more electrons in its valence shell. Compounds composed of ions are called ionic compounds (or salts), and their constituent ions are held together by ionic bonds: electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged cations and anions. 
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Ionic Compounds: Formulas and Nomenclature03:34

Ionic Compounds: Formulas and Nomenclature

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An element composed of atoms that readily lose electrons (a metal) can react with an element composed of atoms that readily gain electrons (a nonmetal) to produce ions through complete electron transfer. The compound formed by this transfer is stabilized by the electrostatic attractions (ionic bonds) between the oppositely charged ions.
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Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
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Self-assembled nanostructures in ionic liquids facilitate charge storage at electrified interfaces.

Xianwen Mao1,2, Paul Brown3, Ctirad Červinka4,5

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Surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) with self-assembling amphiphilic structures enhance charge storage. Their unique ion ordering at electrode interfaces, driven by van der Waals forces, optimizes performance in electrochemical technologies.

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Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Ionic liquids (ILs) are crucial for emerging electrochemical technologies.
  • Understanding ion ordering at IL-electrode interfaces is key to novel energy storage.
  • Surface-active ILs (SAILs) possess amphiphilic structures that promote self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interfacial behavior and charge storage performance of SAILs.
  • To elucidate the role of competing interactions (Coulombic vs. van der Waals) in SAILs.
  • To uncover design principles for high-energy-density electrolytes based on self-assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Studied ion distribution at electrified surfaces using SAILs with amphiphilic structures.
  • Analyzed the influence of van der Waals interactions from non-polar surfactant tails.
  • Investigated interfacial ion ordering under varying degrees of electrode polarization.

Main Results:

  • SAILs exhibit enhanced charge storage compared to conventional ILs.
  • Unusual interfacial ion distributions arise from competing Coulombic and van der Waals forces.
  • Optimal performance is achieved at intermediate electrode polarization due to tail exclusion and suppressed overscreening.

Conclusions:

  • SAILs offer superior interfacial behavior and electrochemical properties due to self-assembly.
  • The interplay of interactions and self-assembly in SAILs leads to enhanced energy storage.
  • This research provides insights for designing advanced electrolytes for high-energy-density applications.