Homogeneous and heterogenized basic ionic liquids as reaction catalysts have been highlighted, pa... more Homogeneous and heterogenized basic ionic liquids as reaction catalysts have been highlighted, particularly where they are used to promote reactions that could form the basis of more sustainable energy and chemical production.
The synthesis of 2-3 µm spherical microcapsules with a polymer shell and a liquid core comprised ... more The synthesis of 2-3 µm spherical microcapsules with a polymer shell and a liquid core comprised of ionic liquid (IL) ([Bmim][NTf2]) is described. These discrete IL microcapsules are prepared quickly and in large quantity in a low temperature, one pot synthesis, by a modified coacervation technique. These IL microcapsules show ability to release dye from the IL core into solution through a polymer membrane and also concentrate metal ions from solution into the microcapsules.
We report the design of stable, ionic liquid-hybrids, covalently-anchored to the framework archit... more We report the design of stable, ionic liquid-hybrids, covalently-anchored to the framework architectures of microporous and hierarchical solid supports. The ionic liquid moieties that are anchored to the framework facilitate enhanced mass-transport, and afford superior catalytic performance in the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclic oximes at low-temperatures. The ionic liquid-metal oxide (IL-MO) hybrids also play an important role in modifying the reaction pathway
We present new ionic liquid bases, which have low flammability and can potentially be recovered. ... more We present new ionic liquid bases, which have low flammability and can potentially be recovered. They could replace traditional flammable, harmful bases, which are not recovered.
3 sugar based low molecular weight gelators are shown to form ionic liquid gels with a diverse ra... more 3 sugar based low molecular weight gelators are shown to form ionic liquid gels with a diverse range of ionic liquids.
We describe the autocatalytic synthesis of SiO2 and TiO2 ionic liquid gels using a basic ionic li... more We describe the autocatalytic synthesis of SiO2 and TiO2 ionic liquid gels using a basic ionic liquid as the solvent, template and catalyst for the sol-gel reaction. Basic gels were synthesized using a two component mixture of the basic ionic liquid [P66614][OH] and either tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) or titanium isopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)4). The gels formed were clear glassy materials. The unstable basic ionic liquid was stabilised by the matrix and showed both increased thermal stability (by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) and chemical stability (by solid state NMR (SSNMR)) after over a year of storage.
Ionic liquid gel materials offer a way to further utilise ionic liquids in technological applicat... more Ionic liquid gel materials offer a way to further utilise ionic liquids in technological applications. Combining the controlled and directed assembly of gels, with the diverse applications of ionic liquids, enables the design of a heady combination of functional tailored materials, leading to the development of task specific/functional ionic liquid gels.
In the Academic year 2010-2011 the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Queen's... more In the Academic year 2010-2011 the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) saw the first large scale inclusion of students from East China University of Science and Technology, (ECUST), seconded into the Level 3 of our chemistry programme. The students had a specific interest in developing their laboratory and research skills. This paper discusses our experiences from a broad perspective and in so doing highlights challenges and issues as outlined in the Higher Education Academy (HEA) literature and includes a case study of the experiences of our international students. Reference is made throughout to the HEA International lifecycle as a framework to discuss the experience. Strategies and support put in place for our international students are discussed and an account of the mutual learning experience that this inaugural year offered is shared and supported by information obtained from a student survey, the Staff Student Consultative Committee (SSCC), focus groups and informally. These consultations took place both throughout and at the end of the year. This feedback provides an insight into the student experience, which can be used to inform a future approach and facilitate the continued provision of the necessary student support. The paper also includes some practical material prepared especially for the laboratory teaching environment, and a bilingual list of common laboratory equipment and materials which is included in the supplementary data.
A series of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (poly(PS-DVB)) resins have been prepared by suspension p... more A series of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (poly(PS-DVB)) resins have been prepared by suspension polymerisation of styrene-DVB mixtures with DVB contents of 1-12 mol%. In each case 2-ethyl-hexan-1-ol was used as a porogen. Those resins prepared with Ͻ10 mol% DVB collapsed to clear glassy particles on drying from dichloromethane or toluene. However, on drying these resins from acetone, methanol and scCO 2 some opacity was retained. The surface area of each dried species was measured by applying the BET theory to N 2 sorption isotherms. Those resins containing Յ6 mol% DVB and dried from the former two solvents indeed have negligible surface area and superficially are very like gel-type resins. All the resins dried from the latter group of solvents have significant surface area which decreases systematically with fall in DVB mol%. The resin with 6 mol% DVB and negligible surface area dried from toluene was re-swollen in acetone and re-dried. This process re-established the pore structure and surface area. Using inverse size exclusion chromatography the porosity of all the resins was investigated when swollen in tetrahydrofuran. In all cases significant surface area (110-250 m 2 g Ϫ1) was detected. This group of resins are therefore macroporous but, depending on the solvent and drying procedure, the porous morphology can be collapsed reversibly to form dry resins superficially similar to gel-type species. However, in practice these novel resins retain a latent pore structure which is readily re-established on treatment with suitable solvents.
J. Mater. Chem., 2002, 12, 1898-1905 DOI:10.1039/B111111F (Paper). Clean preparation of nanoparti... more J. Mater. Chem., 2002, 12, 1898-1905 DOI:10.1039/B111111F (Paper). Clean preparation of nanoparticulate metals in porous supports: a supercritical route. Kelly S. Morleya, Patricia C. Marra, Paul B. Webba, Andrew R. Berry ...
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2003
We describe perfluoropolyether (PFPE) surfactants which are capable of stabilising the water/CO 2... more We describe perfluoropolyether (PFPE) surfactants which are capable of stabilising the water/CO 2 interface and present FTIR spectroscopic evidence for the formation of water in supercritical carbon dioxide microemulsions. A wide variety of single chain surfactants of differing chain lengths but similar structure has been screened and the effect of the surfactant chain length on the water uptake was studied. The ammonium carboxylate of the PFPE surfactant Krytox FSL TM with an average molecular weight of 2500 g mol (1 was demonstrated to be the surfactant capable of dissolving the most water out of all the tested surfactants and hence to have the optimum chain length.
Co-assembly of an inorganic-organic hybrid material through the combination of supramolecular org... more Co-assembly of an inorganic-organic hybrid material through the combination of supramolecular organogel self-assembly, phase partitioning of a conjugated polymer (CP) and transcription of an inorganic oxide leads to a hybrid material with structured domains of organogel, CP and silica within tube and rod microstructures.
The synthesis of photoluminescent conjugated polymer silica ionogels using sol-gel chemistry is d... more The synthesis of photoluminescent conjugated polymer silica ionogels using sol-gel chemistry is described. Cooperative self-assembly of an ionic liquid, the silica precursor and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) via hydrogen bonding and p-stacking interactions drives formation of the PFO b-phase. Scheme 1 Representation of the proposed stacking mechanism that promotes b-phase formation in PFO-IG.
Homogeneous and heterogenized basic ionic liquids as reaction catalysts have been highlighted, pa... more Homogeneous and heterogenized basic ionic liquids as reaction catalysts have been highlighted, particularly where they are used to promote reactions that could form the basis of more sustainable energy and chemical production.
The synthesis of 2-3 µm spherical microcapsules with a polymer shell and a liquid core comprised ... more The synthesis of 2-3 µm spherical microcapsules with a polymer shell and a liquid core comprised of ionic liquid (IL) ([Bmim][NTf2]) is described. These discrete IL microcapsules are prepared quickly and in large quantity in a low temperature, one pot synthesis, by a modified coacervation technique. These IL microcapsules show ability to release dye from the IL core into solution through a polymer membrane and also concentrate metal ions from solution into the microcapsules.
We report the design of stable, ionic liquid-hybrids, covalently-anchored to the framework archit... more We report the design of stable, ionic liquid-hybrids, covalently-anchored to the framework architectures of microporous and hierarchical solid supports. The ionic liquid moieties that are anchored to the framework facilitate enhanced mass-transport, and afford superior catalytic performance in the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclic oximes at low-temperatures. The ionic liquid-metal oxide (IL-MO) hybrids also play an important role in modifying the reaction pathway
We present new ionic liquid bases, which have low flammability and can potentially be recovered. ... more We present new ionic liquid bases, which have low flammability and can potentially be recovered. They could replace traditional flammable, harmful bases, which are not recovered.
3 sugar based low molecular weight gelators are shown to form ionic liquid gels with a diverse ra... more 3 sugar based low molecular weight gelators are shown to form ionic liquid gels with a diverse range of ionic liquids.
We describe the autocatalytic synthesis of SiO2 and TiO2 ionic liquid gels using a basic ionic li... more We describe the autocatalytic synthesis of SiO2 and TiO2 ionic liquid gels using a basic ionic liquid as the solvent, template and catalyst for the sol-gel reaction. Basic gels were synthesized using a two component mixture of the basic ionic liquid [P66614][OH] and either tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) or titanium isopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)4). The gels formed were clear glassy materials. The unstable basic ionic liquid was stabilised by the matrix and showed both increased thermal stability (by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) and chemical stability (by solid state NMR (SSNMR)) after over a year of storage.
Ionic liquid gel materials offer a way to further utilise ionic liquids in technological applicat... more Ionic liquid gel materials offer a way to further utilise ionic liquids in technological applications. Combining the controlled and directed assembly of gels, with the diverse applications of ionic liquids, enables the design of a heady combination of functional tailored materials, leading to the development of task specific/functional ionic liquid gels.
In the Academic year 2010-2011 the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Queen's... more In the Academic year 2010-2011 the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) saw the first large scale inclusion of students from East China University of Science and Technology, (ECUST), seconded into the Level 3 of our chemistry programme. The students had a specific interest in developing their laboratory and research skills. This paper discusses our experiences from a broad perspective and in so doing highlights challenges and issues as outlined in the Higher Education Academy (HEA) literature and includes a case study of the experiences of our international students. Reference is made throughout to the HEA International lifecycle as a framework to discuss the experience. Strategies and support put in place for our international students are discussed and an account of the mutual learning experience that this inaugural year offered is shared and supported by information obtained from a student survey, the Staff Student Consultative Committee (SSCC), focus groups and informally. These consultations took place both throughout and at the end of the year. This feedback provides an insight into the student experience, which can be used to inform a future approach and facilitate the continued provision of the necessary student support. The paper also includes some practical material prepared especially for the laboratory teaching environment, and a bilingual list of common laboratory equipment and materials which is included in the supplementary data.
A series of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (poly(PS-DVB)) resins have been prepared by suspension p... more A series of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (poly(PS-DVB)) resins have been prepared by suspension polymerisation of styrene-DVB mixtures with DVB contents of 1-12 mol%. In each case 2-ethyl-hexan-1-ol was used as a porogen. Those resins prepared with Ͻ10 mol% DVB collapsed to clear glassy particles on drying from dichloromethane or toluene. However, on drying these resins from acetone, methanol and scCO 2 some opacity was retained. The surface area of each dried species was measured by applying the BET theory to N 2 sorption isotherms. Those resins containing Յ6 mol% DVB and dried from the former two solvents indeed have negligible surface area and superficially are very like gel-type resins. All the resins dried from the latter group of solvents have significant surface area which decreases systematically with fall in DVB mol%. The resin with 6 mol% DVB and negligible surface area dried from toluene was re-swollen in acetone and re-dried. This process re-established the pore structure and surface area. Using inverse size exclusion chromatography the porosity of all the resins was investigated when swollen in tetrahydrofuran. In all cases significant surface area (110-250 m 2 g Ϫ1) was detected. This group of resins are therefore macroporous but, depending on the solvent and drying procedure, the porous morphology can be collapsed reversibly to form dry resins superficially similar to gel-type species. However, in practice these novel resins retain a latent pore structure which is readily re-established on treatment with suitable solvents.
J. Mater. Chem., 2002, 12, 1898-1905 DOI:10.1039/B111111F (Paper). Clean preparation of nanoparti... more J. Mater. Chem., 2002, 12, 1898-1905 DOI:10.1039/B111111F (Paper). Clean preparation of nanoparticulate metals in porous supports: a supercritical route. Kelly S. Morleya, Patricia C. Marra, Paul B. Webba, Andrew R. Berry ...
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2003
We describe perfluoropolyether (PFPE) surfactants which are capable of stabilising the water/CO 2... more We describe perfluoropolyether (PFPE) surfactants which are capable of stabilising the water/CO 2 interface and present FTIR spectroscopic evidence for the formation of water in supercritical carbon dioxide microemulsions. A wide variety of single chain surfactants of differing chain lengths but similar structure has been screened and the effect of the surfactant chain length on the water uptake was studied. The ammonium carboxylate of the PFPE surfactant Krytox FSL TM with an average molecular weight of 2500 g mol (1 was demonstrated to be the surfactant capable of dissolving the most water out of all the tested surfactants and hence to have the optimum chain length.
Co-assembly of an inorganic-organic hybrid material through the combination of supramolecular org... more Co-assembly of an inorganic-organic hybrid material through the combination of supramolecular organogel self-assembly, phase partitioning of a conjugated polymer (CP) and transcription of an inorganic oxide leads to a hybrid material with structured domains of organogel, CP and silica within tube and rod microstructures.
The synthesis of photoluminescent conjugated polymer silica ionogels using sol-gel chemistry is d... more The synthesis of photoluminescent conjugated polymer silica ionogels using sol-gel chemistry is described. Cooperative self-assembly of an ionic liquid, the silica precursor and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) via hydrogen bonding and p-stacking interactions drives formation of the PFO b-phase. Scheme 1 Representation of the proposed stacking mechanism that promotes b-phase formation in PFO-IG.
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Papers by Patricia Marr