En compétition avec les alcanolamines, les liquides ioniques (LIs) sont connus pour interagir fortement et de façon réversible avec des gaz acides. Les propriétés remarquables des LIs ont conduit à la réalisation de ‘Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes’ (SILMs) qui sont des systèmes continus attractifs pour la séparation de gaz, et notamment du CO2. Dans les SILMs, il est possible d’adapter les propriétés d'adsorption/séparation en modifiant les caractéristiques du support (e.g. composition, structure poreuse, surface spécifique, etc.) et du LI (nature des cations et anions). En dépit de leur relative instabilité dans les procédés de séparation de gaz acides, les supports nanoporeux polymériques sont classiquement utilisés pour préparer des SILMs. Récemment, les supports céramiques poreux ont été considérés pour la réalisation de SILMs en raison de leurs excellentes résistances thermique et mécanique. La plupart de ces systèmes sont préparés par imprégnation/infiltration des LIs dans les pores du support céramique. Ce protocole conduit à la formation de matériaux composites dans lesquels le LI est physiquement piégé dans le support, mais souvent avec une distribution hétérogène du LI et une stabilité limitée dans le temps. Dans ce travail de thèse, réalisé en collaboration entre l’Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM) et l’Institut Charles Gerhardt de Montpellier (ICGM), nous avons développé une nouvelle génération de SILMs, dans lesquelles le LI est confiné dans les pores d'un support en céramique mésoporeux par greffage chimique. La préparation de ces systèmes se fait en trois étapes :i) Synthèse et caractérisation de nouveaux LIs portant des fonctions de couplage pour assurer leur greffage en surface des pores de la membrane céramique et détermination de la capacité d’absorption du CO2 des différents LIs synthétisés;ii) Optimisation des paramètres de greffage de ces LIs sur des poudres modèles de γ-Al2O3 et caractérisation des matériaux hybrides obtenus avec mise en évidence du greffage;iii) Transfert du protocole de greffage optimisé sur des membranes céramiques commerciales γ-alumine (fabrication de Grafted Ionic Liquid Membranes - GILMs) et évaluation de leurs performances pour la séparation du CO2.Ce travail, basé sur une approche originale, associant de nouveaux liquides ioniques et un nouveau concept de membrane à base de liquide ionique supporté, montre, au travers de plusieurs exemples l’intérêt d’une approche multi-étapes pour le développement de systèmes membranaires de séparation du CO2. / In competition with amines, ionic liquids (ILs) are known to interact strongly and reversibly with acid gases, making supported IL-membrane (SILMs) versatile materials for use in CO2 membrane separation applications. It is possible to finely tune SILMs properties for CO2 adsorption/separation by tailoring the characteristics of both the support (e.g., porosity, surface area, composition, etc.) and the ionic liquid (cations and anions). Up to now, nanoporous polymer supports have been favored for preparing SILMs, in spite of their relative instability during continuous separation processes in the presence of acidic gases. Recently, porous ceramic supports have been considered due to their excellent thermal and mechanical resistance. Most of the SILMs are prepared by impregnation/infiltration of IL in the pores of ceramic support which leads to the formation of composite membrane materials with either a physisorbed or mechanically trapped IL in the support. Despite their promising performance, such SILMs exhibit inherent limitations such as facile IL disarrangement, heterogeneous distribution, and limited stability upon ageing.In this Ph.D work, carried out in collaboration between the Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM) and the Institut Charles Gerhardt de Montpellier (ICGM), a new generation of SILMs has been developed in which ILs are confined within the pores of a mesoporous ceramic support by chemical grafting. The membranes are prepared in three steps:i) Synthesis and characterization of new ILs bearing a coupling function which allow the grafting on the surface of ceramic oxide supports and determination of the CO2 absorption capacity of the new ILs developed;ii) Elaboration and/or optimization of relevant synthesis protocols for grafting ILs on/in γ-alumina powders and physico-chemical characterizations of the hybrid materials;iii) Transfer of the optimized grafting protocols on commercial porous ceramic support with γ-alumina top-layer to produce Grafted Ionic Liquid Membranes (GILMs) and evaluate their performance for CO2 separation.An original research strategy, based on new ionic liquids and innovative membrane concepts have been addressed in this work, illustrating the contribution of a multi-step approach towards the development of membranes for CO2 separation.

À ce jour, la récupération de métaux précieux contenus dans les déchets d’équipements électriques et électroniques (DEEE) se fait par des procédés présentant un niveau de dangerosité certain du fait de l’utilisation de cyanure ou d’eau régale qui impactent l’environnement avec une toxicité notoire pour l’homme dans le cas des cyanures. C’est dans la perspective de répondre à ces enjeux environnementaux que le projet PEPITE a été construit en associant un industriel (RECUPYL®) le LEPMI avec le soutien de L’ADEME. L’objet du projet vise à récupérer les métaux précieux contenus dans les DEEE par un procédé utilisant des liquides ioniques (LIs). Les travaux ont permis de compiler une base de connaissance très utile sur les propriétés physicochimiques des liquides ioniques retenus. Nous avons également pu bâtir un schéma de traitement aussi efficace mais sans rejet de gaz toxiques ou d’effluents. Les résultats de nos travaux ont conduit à l’émergence d’une nouvelle voie de recyclage par chimie verte grâce à l’application des liquides ioniques. Enfin, cet avantage environnemental s’accompagne d’une viabilité économique en regard des procédés actuels. / To date, the recovery of precious metals contained in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) reported a significant level of danger due to the use of cyanide or aqua regia extremely harmful and dangerous to the humans and the environment. This is in view to respond to environmental and economic issues that RECUPYL® society, LEPMI laboratory and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) developed the PEPITE project. It aims to recover the precious metals contained in WEEE by a hydrometallurgical process using ionic liquid electrolytes (ILs). This work led us to establish a knowledge base and to make measurements on the physico-chemical properties of LIs. We were able to develop a process flow sheet without release neither toxic gases nor effluents. The research work undertaken has led to significant results and demonstrated that there is a real solution for the recovery of precious metals in ionic liquid electrolyte.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work describes the reaction parameters influence in the 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole N-alkylation under microwave irradiation. The experiments were performed in different conditions with the purpose of verified the influence of temperature, basic, pressure, solvent effect and ionic liquid effect as passive heating elements (PHEs). The used alkylant agents were 1-butyl bromide, 2-butyl bromide, 1-ethyl iodide, 1-ethyl bromide and 1-butyl chloride. The ionic liquids [BMIM][BF4], [EMIM][BF4], [OMIM][BF4] and [BPy][BF4] were applied as PHEs. Initially, it was possible verified which elevated temperatures (100 - 150°C) allows to perform the reaction in very short reaction times (2,5 - 10 min). In general, it was observed which the base need is related to low reaction temperatures and alkylant agents of low reactivity. In addition, enhanced conversions were obtained with the solvent polarity and/or internal pressure increase. When different ionic liquids were used as PHEs, no relevant conversion difference was observed to the studied reaction. / Este trabalho descreve a influência dos parâmetros reacionais sobre a N-alquilação de 3,5-dimetil-1H-pirazol assistida por irradiação de micro-ondas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em diferentes condições a fim de verificar a influência da temperatura, base, pressão, efeito do solvente e efeito do líquido iônico como elemento passível de aquecimento (EPA). Como agentes alquilantes, foram utilizados 1-bromobutano, 2-bromobutano, 1-iodoetano, 1-bromoetano e 1-clorobutano. Os líquidos iônicos [BMIM][BF4], [EMIM][BF4], [OMIM][BF4] e [BPy][BF4] foram utilizados como EPAs. Através dos experimentos realizados, foi possível verificar que elevadas temperaturas (100 - 150°C) permitem a utilização de curtos tempos reacionais (2,5 - 10 min). De modo geral, foi observado que a necessidade de base está relacionada a baixas temperaturas reacionais e agentes alquilantes de baixa reatividade. Além disso, melhores conversões foram obtidas com o aumento da polaridade do solvente e/ou da pressão interna do vaso reacional. Quando diferentes líquidos iônicos foram utilizados como EPAs, não foram observadas diferenças significativas de conversão para a reação estudada.

L’étain est une alternative privilégiée en remplacement du carbone graphite comme matériau d’électrode négative dans les batteries Li-ion en raison de son importante capacité théorique spécifique massique de 993 mAh.g-1. Toutefois son expansion volumique lors sa lithiation conduit à sa dégradation au cours du cyclage, diminuant la durée de vie du matériau. Pour pallier à sa pulvérisation, l’utilisation de l’espace inter-granulaire via la nanostructuration du matériau est complétée par l’adjonction d’une matrice carbonée ou d’un autre élément inactif vis-à-vis de la lithiation (utilisation d’alliages intermétalliques). L’objectif de ce travail porte sur l’élaboration de nouveaux procédés de synthèse de nanoparticules d’étain et d’alliage étain-cuivre en milieu liquide ionique. Des nanoparticules de Sn de taille variant de 7 à 45 nm, selon la combinaison cation-anion du liquide ionique et à partir de différents sels métalliques, ont été synthétisées, ainsi qu’un nano-alliage, le composé Cu6Sn5. La taille des nanoparticules est liée à la nature de l’anion bien que le cation présente une interaction privilégiée avec la surface métallique des nanoparticules. Isolées du liquide ionique, les nanoparticules de Sn et Cu6Sn5 montrent une architecture de type cœur-coquille avec un cœur cristallin métallique ou intermétallique et une coquille amorphe d’oxydes d’étain. Les nanoparticules de type Sn@SnOx présentent une capacité spécifique élevée supérieure à 950 mAh.g-1, mettant en lumière un mécanisme de conversion réversible du SnOx surfacique, et celle du nano-alliage Sn-Cu@SnOx est proche de la capacité attendue pour un mécanisme d’alliage, à plus de 530 mAh.g-1. / Tin is a promising alternative to replace graphite carbon as a negative electrode material in Li-ion batteries due to its high specific theoretical mass capacity of 993 mAh.g-1. However, change in volume during lithiation leads to its mechanical degradation during the cycling, and consequently very short life of the material. To overcome this issue, the use of the intergranular space via the nanostructuration of the material combined by the addition of a carbon matrix or other inactive element vs. lithium (intermetallic alloys), which buffers drastically the volume expansion during the lithium alloying process, is employed. The aim of this work is to develop new processes for the synthesis of tin nanoparticles and tin-copper alloys in ionic liquid medium. Sn nanoparticles varying in size from 7 to 45 nm were synthesized, according to the cation-anion combination of the ionic liquid and from different metallic salts, as well as a nano-alloy compound, Cu6Sn5. The size of the nanoparticles is directly related to the nature of the anion although the cation has a privileged interaction with the metal surface of the nanoparticles. Once isolated from the ionic liquid, Sn and Cu6Sn5 nanoparticles have a core-shell architecture with a metallic or intermetallic crystalline core and an amorphous shell of tin oxides. A reversible conversion mechanism of the SnOx from the shell is highlighted for Sn@SnOx nanoparticles, with a high specific capacity of approximately 950 mAh.g-1. Sn-Cu@SnOx nano-alloys have a capacity close to the theoretical for an alloy mechanism at more than 530 mAh.g-1.

L’extraction liquide-liquide fait partie des procédés hydrométallurgiques les plus étudiés et développés, particulièrement dans les domaines d'applications de l’extraction et de la purification de métaux comme les lanthanides et les actinides, de grand intérêt dans les secteurs de l'énergie et des technologies de pointe. De nombreux extractants ont ainsi été développés au cours des dernières décennies dont la nature et l’arrangement des sites de chélation, la rigidité voire la stéréochimie déterminent l’affinité et la sélectivité vis-à-vis d’une cible métallique. L’étude de systèmes chélatant organisés sur des macrocycles a notamment fait l’objet de nombreux travaux recherches. Dans cette étude, l'organisation de sous-unités diglycolamide (DGA) et diamide (DA) sur des plateformes macrocycliques tel que le calix[4]arène et le résorcinarène a été abordée vis-à-vis de l’extraction des terres rares et de l’uranium. Une étude détaillée de l'effet de l'organisation du DGA sur les performances d'extraction montre que les macrocycles synthétisés sont plus affins et sélectifs des terres rares lourdes (HREEs) que des légères (LREEs). Une étude comparative dédiée à l'extraction des lanthanides par ces macrocycles en milieu liquide ionique montre également que le calix[4]arène est un meilleur candidat comme plateforme pré-organisatrice que le cavitand résorcinarène. D'autre part, une étude détaillée sur le pouvoir chélatant d’un calixarène fonctionnalisé par des diamides a été entreprise pour l'extraction sélective de l'uranium en milieu sulfurique, démontrant ici que le motif diamide est plus efficace et plus sélectif que l’analogue calixarénique. / The liquid-liquid extraction is one of the most studied and developed hydrometallurgical processes, particularly in the areas of applications for the extraction and purification of metals of great interest in the sectors of energy and advanced technologies, such as lanthanides and actinides. Many extractants have been developed for the extraction of these metals in the recent decades where the nature, the arrangement, the rigidity and the stereochemistry of chelating sites determine the affinity and selectivity toward the target metals. The study of chelating systems organized on macrocycles has constituted, in particular, the subject of numerous research studies.In this study, the organization of diglycolamide (DGA) and diamide (DA) subunits on Calix-[4]-arene and resorcinarene cavitand was studied for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) and uranium (U). A detailed study on the effect of the organization of DGA subunit on the extraction performance of lanthanides, in toluene, showed that the synthesized macrocycles are more efficient and more selective toward heavy rare earths (HREEs) than the light ones (LREEs). A comparative study for the extraction of lanthanides by these macrocycles in ionic liquid medium revealed that the calix-[4]-arene is a better candidate as preorganised platform than the resorcinarene cavitand. Moreover, a detailed study on the chelating capacity of a calixarene functionalized with diamides (DA) was done for the selective extraction of uranium in sulfuric medium, demonstrating that the diamide pattern is more efficient and more selective than its calixarene analogue.

Orientador: Martin Aznar / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T08:47:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maduro_RaquelMoreira_D.pdf: 906016 bytes, checksum: 5bc8282b4c299005f8265541d2943d28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A nafta reformada é um produto do refino do petróleo que contém compostos aromáticos e alifáticos de grande interesse industrial. Para separar estes componentes utiliza-se, em sua grande maioria, o processo de extração líquido-líquido. Os solventes mais utilizados, até o momento, são extratantes com alta pressão de vapor, que apresentam emissões prejudiciais para o meio ambiente e, consequentemente, para o ser humano. Por este motivo, existe uma tendência a substituir estes solventes por outros menos nocivos, como os líquidos iônicos, que são compostos químicos relativamente novos e que apresentam várias características únicas e importantes, como baixa pressão de vapor. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal estudar a capacidade dos líquidos iônicos hexafluorofosfato de 1-butil-3-metilimidazólio e hexafluorofosfato de 1-octil-3-metilimidazólio em separar os compostos alifáticos dos aromáticos em sistemas ternários em equilíbrio líquido-líquido. As técnicas analíticas empregadas para determinar dados experimentais de equilíbrio líquido-líquido em condições de pressão ambiente e temperatura constante (25 ºC) foram o método de cloud-point, densimetria, evaporação sob vácuo e espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta. Primeiramente a metodologia foi validada através da reprodução dos dados do sistema butanol + benzeno + água reportados por Washburn e Strandskov (1944). Os resultados mostraram grande concordância com as composições da literatura, de modo que a metodologia pôde ser utilizada no decorrer do trabalho. Em seguida, o sistema ternário nonano + benzeno + [bmim][PF6], foi empregado para determinar os tempos de agitação e de repouso, os quais foram definidos, respectivamente, em 4 h e 20 h. À continuação, os diagramas ternários de cada sistema neste trabalho foram determinados, concluindo-se que as regiões heterogêneas são significativamente grandes, com exceção do sistema nonano + tolueno + [bmim][PF6]; isto significa que os líquidos iônicos em estudo são bons solventes para estes sistemas ternários. Por fim, os dados experimentais foram correlacionados através dos modelos moleculares NRTL e UNIQUAC para o cálculo do coeficiente de atividade. Os resultados foram considerados satisfatórios, observando-se que o modelo NRTL foi capaz de representar melhor os dados de equilíbrio dos sistemas estudados. / Abstract: The reformed naphtha is a product in petroleum refine that contains aromatics and aliphatic compounds of great industrial interest. In order to separate these components, the most used process is the liquid-liquid extraction. Currently, the most used solvents are high vapor pressure extractants, that produce gaseous emissions, prejudicial for the environmental and, consequently, for the human being. Therefore, there is a tendency to substitute these solvents for others less toxic, such as the ionic liquids, that are relatively new chemical compounds that show several important characteristics, such as an extremely low vapor pressure. On this basis, the present work has as main objective the study of the ability of the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-mehylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-octil-3- methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate to separate aliphatic from aromatic compounds in liquid-liquid equilibrium ternary systems. The methodology used to perform the experiments at atmospheric pressure and constant temperature (25 °C) include cloud point method, densimetry, vacuum evaporation and UV spectrophotometry. First, the methodology was validated by reproducing data for the system butanol + benzene + water, eported by Washburn and Strandskov (1944). The results showed a good agreement with the compositions in literature, so the methodology can be used in all the subsequent work. Later, the system nonane + benzene + [bmim]PF6] was used to determine the agitation and rest times, defined, respectively, as 4 h and 20 h. Next, the ternary diagrams of each system in the work were determined, concluding that the heterogeneous region are significantly large, except for the system nonane + toluene + [bmim]PF6]; this implies that the ionic liquids in study are good solvents for these ternary systems. Moreover, the experimental data were correlated through the molecular models NRTL and UNIQUAC for the activity coefficient. The results were satisfactory, observing that NRTL was able to represent better the equilibrium data of the studied systems. / Doutorado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Químicos / Doutor em Engenharia Química

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The synthesis of a series of 3-haloacetyl-4-methyl-quinolines from the cyclocondensation reaction of 4-alkoxyvinyl ketones [R1C(O)CH=C(R2)(OCH3), where R1 = CF3, CCl3, CHCl2, CF2Cl, CF2CF3 and R2 = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, i-Bu, i- Pent] with 2-aminoacetophenone is reported. The reaction was performed in the presence of p-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TsOH), ionic liquid ([HMIM][TsO]) and under microwave irradiation. The molar ratio of the reactants 4-alkoxyvinyl ketone and 2-aminoacetophenone was of 1:1, respectively, for the quinoline with R1 = CHCl2, while for the other reactions was necessary a molar ratio of 1.2:1, respectively. The results showed that the combination of ionic liquid and microwave irradiation was effective for this synthesis, since the products were obtained with short rteaction times (10-20 min) and high yields (70-91%). In addition, the advantages of using the microwave irradiation method in comparison to the conventional thermal heating were also demonstrated. / Neste trabalho é descrita a síntese de uma série de 3-haloacetil-4-metilquinolinas a partir da reação de ciclocondensação de 4-alcoxivinil cetonas [R1C(O)CH=C(R2)(OCH3), onde R1 = CF3, CCl3, CHCl2, CF2Cl, CF2CF3 e R2 = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, i-Bu, i-Pent] com 2-aminoacetofenona. As condições reacionais utilizadas para a obtenção dos compostos heterocíclicos foram realizadas na presença d6 ácido p-tolueno sulfônico (ac. p-TsOH) e líquido iônico ([HMIM][TsO]) sob irradiação de micro-ondas. A relação molar empregada da 4-alcoxivinil cetona e da 2-aminoacetofenona foi de 1:1, respectivamente, para a quinolina R1 = CHCl2, enquanto que para as outras reações foi necessário uma relação molar de 1,2:1. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a combinação de líquido iônico e irradiação de micro-ondas foram eficazes para essa síntese, já que os produtos foram obtidos em tempo reacionais curtos (10- 20 min) e altos rendimentos (70-91%). Além disso, também foram mostradas as vantagens do método de irradiação de micro-ondas sobre o método convencional de aquecimento.

Dans les accumulateurs au lithium, l'électrolyte joue un rôle important car ses propriétés physicochimiques et électrochimiques conditionnent l'efficacité du générateur électrochimique. Actuellement, les électrolytes organiques utilisés induisent des difficultés pour la mise en oeuvre et l'utilisation de la batterie (composants volatils et inflammables). De nouveaux électrolytes à base de sels fondus à température ambiante, dit liquides ioniques, sont des candidats potentiels plus sécuritaires (faible inflammabilité, basse pression de vapeur saturante, point éclair élevé), qui présentent en outre une large fenêtre électrochimique. Dans un premier temps, le travail de thèse a été de concevoir de nouvelles voies de synthèses plus économes, tenant compte des exigences environnementales (limitation des déchets, pas de solvant) et proposant des liquides ioniques de haute pureté >99.5% compatibles avec une production industrielle. De nouveaux liquides ioniques dérivés du cation imidazolium ont alors été conçus afin de moduler leurs propriétés physicochimiques et optimiser leurs performances dans les batteries. Ils ont été évalués dans diverses technologies de batteries (Graphite/LiFePO4) et (Li4Ti5O12/LiFePO4) dans différentes conditions expérimentales, à 298 K et 333 K, cette dernière température étant proscrite pour les batteries conventionnelles. Ce travail de thèse a permis d'identifier les modifications chimiques pour conduire aux électrolytes les plus prometteurs et à mis en exergue l'importance de l'étude de la compréhension des phénomènes d'interphase liquides ioniques/ électrodes / In lithium ion batteries, the electrolyte plays an important role because its physicochemical and electrochemical properties determine their efficiency. Currently, the used organic electrolytes induce difficulties in the manufacturing and the use of the battery (volatile and flammable components). New electrolytes based on molten salts at room temperature, called ionic liquids, are safer potential candidates (low flammability, low vapor pressure, high flash point) with a wide electrochemical window. The first stage of this PhD was to design new and more efficient synthetic routes, taking into account the environmental requirements (waste minimization, no solvent) and allowing the elaboration of ionic liquids with high purity> 99.5%, compatible with an industrial production. New ionic liquids derived from imidazolium cation were then designed in order to modulate their physicochemical properties, and to optimize their performance in batteries. They were evaluated in various battery technologies (Graphite/LiFePO4) and (Li4Ti5O12/LiFePO4) under different experimental conditions, 298 K and 333 K, when the conventional lithium ion batteries (organic electrolyte) are used only under 313 K. This PhD work has identified the chemical modifications to yield the most promising electrolytes, and highlighted the importance of the study on the understanding of ionic liquid/electrode interphase phenomena

Orientador: Ronaldo Aloise Pilli / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T21:45:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Camilo_NiltonSoares_D.pdf: 3180029 bytes, checksum: 2847c04256e604434393243a35c4298a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutor em Ciências

abstract: Soft materials are matters that can easily deform from their original shapes and structures under thermal or mechanical stresses, and they range across various groups of materials including liquids, foams, gels, colloids, polymers, and biological substances. Although soft materials already have numerous applications with each of their unique characteristics, integrating materials to achieve complementary functionalities is still a growing need for designing advanced applications of complex requirements. This dissertation explores a unique approach of utilizing intermolecular interactions to accomplish not only the multifunctionality from combined materials but also their tailored properties designed for specific tasks. In this work, multifunctional soft materials are explored in two particular directions, ionic liquids (ILs)-based mixtures and interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). First, ILs-based mixtures were studied to develop liquid electrolytes for molecular electronic transducers (MET) in planetary exploration. For space missions, it is challenging to operate any liquid electrolytes in an extremely low-temperature environment. By tuning intermolecular interactions, the results demonstrated a facile method that has successfully overcome the thermal and transport barriers of ILs-based mixtures at extremely low temperatures. Incorporation of both aqueous and organic solvents in ILs-based electrolyte systems with varying types of intermolecular interactions are investigated, respectively, to yield optimized material properties supporting not only MET sensors but also other electrochemical devices with iodide/triiodide redox couple targeting low temperatures. Second, an environmentally responsive hydrogel was synthesized via interpenetrating two crosslinked polymer networks. The intermolecular interactions facilitated by such an IPN structure enables not only an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) transition but also a mechanical enhancement of the hydrogel. The incorporation of functional units validates a positive swelling response to visible light and also further improves the mechanical properties. This studied IPN system can serve as a promising route in developing “smart” hydrogels utilizing visible light as a simple, inexpensive, and remotely controllable stimulus. Over two directions across from ILs to polymeric networks, this work demonstrates an effective strategy of utilizing intermolecular interactions to not only develop multifunctional soft materials for advanced applications but also discover new properties beyond their original boundaries. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemical Engineering 2020