Rotational Diffusion of Nonpolar and Ionic Solutes in 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate-LiBF4 Mixtures: Does the Electrolyte Induce the Structure-Making or Structure-Breaking Effect?

Rotational diffusion of three structurally similar solutes, 9-phenylanthracene (9-PA), fluorescein (FL), and rhodamine 110 (R110), has been investigated in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate-lithium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]-LiBF4) mixtures to understand the influence of the added electrolyte on the mobility of nonpolar, anionic, and cationic solute molecules. It has been observed that the reorientation times of the nonpolar solute 9-PA become progressively shorter with an increase in the concentration of LiBF4 at a given viscosity (η) and temperature (T). In the case of ionic solutes also, a decrease in the reorientation times has been observed upon the addition of the electrolyte compared to those obtained in the neat ionic liquid at a given η/T. However, this decrease is found to be independent of [LiBF4]. 9-PA being a nonpolar solute is located in the nonpolar domains of the ionic liquid. An enhancement in [LiBF4] leads to an increase in the sizes of the nonpolar domains resulting in the faster rotation of the solute. Anionic solute FL and cationic solute R110, which are located in the ionic region experience specific interactions with the cation and anion of the ionic liquid, respectively. In the presence of electrolyte, however, the strengths of these specific interactions diminish as the ions of the ionic liquid are not readily accessible to the solute molecules due to the organized structure, which results in faster rotation. These observations suggest that addition of LiBF4 induces a structure-making effect in the ionic liquid.