CONIN · Effects of confinement on inhomogeneous systems

Effects of confinement on inhomogeneous systems

The objective of the project is determination of universal features and specific properties of systems spontaneously ordering into spatially inhomogeneous structures, with special focus on effects of confinement. We pay particular attention to systems spontaneously forming ordered patterns, from thin films on solid surfaces through particles on interfaces to biological membranes and arid ecosystems. Our studies can help to understand origin of life, for which a confinement is believed to play an essential role, and can be exploited in innovative technology. In addition, we investigate ionic liquids/ionic-liquid mixtures near charged surfaces and in porous media, and mobile ions in intercalation compounds that are important in innovative electrochemistry. In particular, we search for systems and conditions that allow for efficient energy storage. The new results and theoretical approaches will help in future studies that may find applications in medicine, information technology, energy conversion and storage, and functional fabrics. Spontaneous pattern formation occurs on different length scales, and typically is caused by competing tendencies in interactions between the considered objects – from ions through nanoparticles, proteins, colloid particles to trees in semi-arid ecosystems. We focus on modeling the systems whose elements attract each other at short distances, but repel each other at larger distances (SALR interactions). In the case of particles, the repulsion is of electrostatic origin and the attraction can be induced by the solvent. Particles that attract each other at short distances can form clusters, but the repulsion at larger separation prevents the clusters from further growth. In the case of such particles different patterns were observed. Our purpose is on the one hand to develop new theoretical and simulation methods suitable for investigation of such systems. On the other hand, we try to find out how the fluctuations that destroy the order can be suppressed, and we investigate the effects of confinement and obstacles. We are also interested in systems with weaker heterogeneities, in particular in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) and mobile ions in solids. The properties of ionic liquids are determined by the specific interactions as well as by the Coulomb potential.There is competition between structure making and structure breaking effects which may have different manifestation next to interfaces. We intend to study structure of RTIL near a flat or a porous electrode, and effects of confinement on charging-discharging processes. Another open question is the vapour-liquid and/or liquid-liquid phase equilibria in ionic liquids and in the mixtures of RTILs with neutral components. Mutual effects of the phase transitions and the charge accumulated near an electrode are important for supercapacitors and energy storage devices. In addition, we plan experimental study of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemistry methods.

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