Conducting organic-metallic composite submicrometer rods based on ionic liquids

The preparation of conducting organic-metallic composite submicrometer rods based on ionic liquids was examined. The use of room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) for the synthesis of pyridinum based organic-metal composite nanostructures was done by electrostatically induced self-assembly. N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmp][BF4]) and chloroauric acid had been assembled into hexagonal rods of Au-RTIL. The assembly results from electrostatic complexation of the RTIL with chloroauric acid to form nanorods. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study revealed that anisotropic Au-RTIL particles are obtained directly by dissolving chloroauric acid in the RTIL. The SEM images showed well-defined hexagonal rods with very smooth surface morphology. The chemical composition of these rods was determined by x-ray photoemission electron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical characterization of these rods were also studied by H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ESI-MS.