Abstract: The present invention provides phosphonium ionic liquids (11) and coatings made therefrom. Highly fluorinated phosphonium ionic liquids based on (11) having been produced exhibiting high thermal stabilities, low melting points and temperature dependent solvent miscibilities. These salts and derivatives of (11) have also been employed in the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces, indicating that ionic liquids are not only new alternative solvents, but also viable functional materials. All derivatives of (11) form biphasic systems with common laboratory solvents of ranging polarity at room temperature. Based on the solvent miscibility experiments with water and the high fluorine loading, the PILs showed obvious evidence of being hydrophobic. Coatings made with these phosphonium ionic liquids (11), salts and derivatives thereof were superhydrophobic with water contact angles were measured and all of the surfaces were determined to be superhydrophobic with contact angles >150°.

Abstract: A method comprises introducing a fluid composition into one or more electrically insulating emitters, and applying voltage to the fluid to cause ejection of the solvent from the fluid after it exits the emitter. The fluid composition comprises first material having a dielectric constant greater than ˜25 and polymer mixed into liquid solvent having a dielectric constant less than ˜15, or polymer mixed into solvent having a dielectric constant greater than ˜8. Voltage can be applied to the fluid composition via a conductive electrode immersed in the fluid, or positioned outside and adjacent to the emitters. Conductivity of the fluid composition can be less than ˜100 ?S/cm. A composition of matter comprises nanofibers formed by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides phosphonium ionic liquids (11) and coatings made therefrom. Highly fluorinated phosphonium ionic liquids based on (11) having been produced exhibiting high thermal stabilities, low melting points and temperature dependent solvent miscibilities. These salts and derivatives of (11) have also been employed in the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces, indicating that ionic liquids are not only new alternative solvents, but also viable functional materials. All derivatives of (11) form biphasic systems with common laboratory solvents of ranging polarity at room temperature. Based on the solvent miscibility experiments with water and the high fluorine loading, the PILs showed obvious evidence of being hydrophobic. Coatings made with these phosphonium ionic liquids (11), salts and derivatives thereof were superhydrophobic with water contact angles were measured and all of the surfaces were determined to be superhydrophobic with contact angles >150°.