Spontaneous formations of nanoconfined water in ionic liquids by small-angle neutron scattering

Abstract In this study, monodispersive nanoconfined water (“water pocket”) is organized spontaneously in hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL). The IL is 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([Cnmim][NO3] n = 2, 6, and 8). By small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), D2O aggregations in the IL are detected. There are no SANS peaks for [C2mim][NO3]–D2O, but, in [C6mim][NO3]–x mol% D2O, a SANS peak can be observed at 70