Energy Transfer in Ionic-Liquid-Functionalized Inorganic Nanorods for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Applications

Energy transfer in self-assembled ionic liquids (ILs) and iron oxyhydroxide nanocrystals and the controlled surface chemistry of functionalized nano-materials for photocatalytic applications are reported. Self-assembled ILs play the role of multifunctional materials in terms of constructing a well-designed nanostructure, controlling the surface chemistry, and triggering the energy transfer of functionalized materials. IL-functionalized beta-FeOOH nanorods show approximate to 10-fold higher performances than those of commercial materials due to the synergistic effect of well-defined nanomaterials in diffusion-controlled reactions, specific interactions with target pollutants, and energy transfers in hybrid materials. In particular, the energy transfer in C(4)MimCl-functionalized beta-FeOOH nanorods enhances photocatalytic activity due to the generation of Fe2+. The strategy described herein provides new insight into the rational design of functionalized inorganic nanomaterials for applications in emerging technologies.