Ionic liquids: a pitocin for next-generation electronic information materials?

Abstract

Electronic information materials (EIMs) are key enablers for building a smart society. As the material carriers of next-generation information technology, the development of EIMs is increasingly constrained by the challenges of manufacturing precision, heterogeneous integration reliability, and circular economy compatibility. As traditional approaches struggle to meet the demands for nanoscale machining, low power consumption, structural flexibility, and environmental compatibility, there is an urgent need for disruptive materials and methodologies. Ionic liquids (ILs), with their unique combination of tunable molecular structures, negligible volatility, broad electrochemical windows, and strong solvation capabilities, offer a promising route to address these bottlenecks. As dynamic reaction media, ILs precisely regulate the nucleation kinetics and interfacial behaviours of zero dimension (0D) quantum dots, one dimension (1D) nanowires, and two dimension (2D) semiconductors through their unique solvation environments, yielding advanced materials with next-generation EIMs. Leveraging hydrogen bonding and ion-exchange interactions, ILs enable selective extraction and recycling of critical electronic chemicals (e.g., rare earth elements, conductive polymers), offering greener alternatives to conventional solvent-based processes. In field-effect transistors and flexible electronics, ILs improve charge transport efficiency, reduce operating voltages, and enhance interfacial stability, while their compatibility with heterogeneous integration addresses reliability challenges in scalable manufacturing. This review systematically examines ILs roles in advancing EIMs and proposes design principles for their targeted application, highlighting their potential to drive sustainable innovation in electronic materials science.

Keywords: Ionic liquids; Electronic information materials; Separation and purification; Electronic devices.