Stokes shift dynamics of ionic liquids: Solute probe dependence, and effects of self-motion, dielectric relaxation frequency window, and collective intermolecular solvent modes

Abstract

In this paper we have used a semi-molecular theory for investigating the probe dependence of Stokes shift dynamics in room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) by considering three different but well-known dipolar solvation probes--coumarin 153, trans-4-dimethylamino-4(')-cyanostilbene, and 4-aminophthalimide. In addition, effects on polar solvation energy relaxation in ILs of solute motion, frequency coverage (frequency window) accessed by dielectric relaxation measurements and collective IL intermolecular modes (CIMs) at tera-hertz range have been explored. Eleven different ILs have been considered for the above theoretical study. Calculated results show better agreement with the recent (fluorescence up-conversion (FLUPS) + time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC)) experimental results, particularly at short times, when the CIM contribution to the frequency dependent dielectric function (ɛ(ω)) is included. This is done via assigning the missing dispersion in an experimental ɛ(ω) to an IL intermolecular mode at 30 cm(-1). No significant probe dependence has been observed for solvation energy relaxation although the magnitude of dynamic Stokes shift varies with the dipole moment of the excited solute. Calculations using experimental ɛ(ω) measured with broader frequency window generate solvation response functions closer to experiments. However, average solvation rates predicted by using different ɛ(ω) for the same IL do not differ appreciably, implying over-all validity of these dielectric relaxation measurements. Results presented here indicate that inclusion of solvent molecularity via wavenumber dependent static correlations and ion dynamic structure factor relaxation improves significantly the comparison between theory and experiments over the continuum model predictions for polar solvation dynamics in these solvents.