Functional ionic gels formed by supramolecular assembly of a novel low molecular weight anticorrosive/antioxidative gelator

The present work reports a novel anticorrosive low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) that can self-assemble in normal ILs (II) through collective intermolecular interactions (ion pairing, H-bonding, π-π stacking). The LMWG is structurally imidazolium type “ionic liquid” bearing benzotriazole group. It can gelate ILs via supramolecular assembly to form a fibrous structure. The benzotriazole group endows the anticorrosion and antioxidation property of the gelator. The obtained ionic gels have good conductivity, making them potential anticorrosive solid electrolytes. The anticorrosion and antioxidation together with the thixotropic character also make them potential high performance semi-solid lubricants, especially for some electrical contacts, that can be used at low temperatures and liquify upon mechanical shearing with low friction and good antiwear property.