Spatial heterogeneity in deep eutectic solvents

Deep eutectics are novel class of solvents analogous in their physiochemical properties to tome liquids. Some advantages like, biodegradability, cheaper preparation methods, extended moisture stability, etc. make them industrially viable solvents. Unlike in ionic liquids, DESs do not have discrete ions but are made of mixtures of metal salt and hydrogen bond donor. It is to be noted that the charge delocalization due to hydrogen bonding is responsible for the decrease in the melting point of the mixture relative to melting points of individual components. Mixture of alkylamide (RCONH₂; R=CH₃ or CH₃-CH₂) with lithium nitrate and lithium perchlorate In the molar ratio 78:22 and 81:19 respectively are found to form deep eutectic solvents with melting point lower than the room temperature. We have carried our X-ray diffraction experiments using XRD beamline (BL-Il) at Indus-2 to investigate structure of these deep eutectic solvents. Our results indicate that addition of electrolyte induces intermediate range ordering in these DESs