Recent advances in synthesis, properties and applications of pH, light-responsive and functionalized surface active ionic liquids

Surface active ionic liquids (SAILs) with stimuli-responsive properties is among the class of Ionic liquids (ILs) that have tailor made structures and enormous application potential than the traditional surfactants. The impetus for studying the functionalized (pH and light responsive) SAILs is their dynamic properties added with enormous scope of potential applications, e.g., in decontamination, nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and drug delivery to name a few. The progress in the field of SAILs rests on a clear understanding of the relationship between their molecular structure, functionality or stimuli responsive group involved within the head group, tail and within the anion and its solution properties at the air-solution interface. This review article constitutes the synthetic strategies adopted by different groups to design functionalized (pH and Light-responsive) SAILs and elaborates their physico-chemical properties including surface-active properties and their ability to form self-assembled structures that are relevant to applications. Out of the wide spectrum of applications, our interest is limited to the decontamination and drug delivery, and nanotechnology.