Project description DEENESFRITPL First-of-its-kind study could reveal the underlying mechanisms in deep eutectic solvents Deep eutectic solvents are made by mixing two compatible components together to form a resulting liquid product. The melting point is significantly lower than that of each of the individual components. Such solvents have recently emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to harmful ionic liquids that are used in chemical and industrial applications. Despite their potential, experimental investigations into their properties at a molecular level are lacking. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STUDYES project plans to identify the underpinning molecular structures and ultrafast dynamics of deep eutectic solvents for the first time through spectroscopic techniques. Project results will lead to a clearer understanding of how molecular dynamics affect the macroscopic physicochemical properties of such solvents. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are binary-component mixtures which melt at a temperature that is several tens to a few hundreds of degrees lower than an ideal binary mixture of the same two compounds in the same ratio. DESs are usually environment-friendly solvents that hold great promise for replacing harmful ionic liquids and volatile organic compounds in chemical and industrial applications. Despite this significant potential, experimental investigations of the fundamental molecular-scale properties and dynamics of these solvents are strikingly lacking. This proposal (acronym STUDYES) aims to identify the underpinning molecular structures and ultrafast dynamics of DESs for the first time. Within STUDYES, I will use state-of-the-art ultrafast, non-linear spectroscopic techniques to unravel the real-time structural and dynamical behaviour of these solvents through their molecular vibrations. I will characterize the ultrafast structural dynamics at the eutectic point of DESs through both temperature- and composition-dependent nonlinear vibrational spectroscopic measurements. The stretching vibrations of the nascent functional groups will be probed in one- and two-dimensional experiments, which will allow a direct visualization of the structural heterogeneities, intermolecular interactions and inter-mode couplings in DESs. I will also investigate the effects of an external agent such as water on the structure and ultrafast dynamics of the DES and identify the critical concentration at which water disrupts the DES structural order. The results of these experiments will provide an important first step to a molecular-level understanding of the special macroscopic physicochemical properties of DESs. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrynatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryvolatile organic compounds Keywords Solvent Eutectic Structure Ultrafast Dynamics Vibrational Spectroscopy Intermolecular Interactions Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN Net EU contribution € 187 572,48 Address WINTHONTLAAN 2 3526 KV Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 187 572,48
