Metal Ions in Choline Chloride: Urea: Glycerol Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvents

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are novel liquids composed of inexpensive components, and are non-flammable, with a low volatility. We wish to use the ternary choline chloride:urea:glycerol DES for the surfactant templated synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. Our previous experiments have shown that the successful synthesis and isolation of iron oxide nanoparticles is highly dependent on the urea:glycerol ratio within the DES, with a higher urea content being favourable. This suggests a difference in the speciation and interaction of the iron precursor with the DES, varying with the urea:glycerol content. Here, we aim to study these interactions further using neutron diffraction techniques and determine the effect of the urea:glycerol ratio on the metal ion-DES interactions. This understanding will be crucial in designing appropriate systems for templated metal oxide synthesis.