Macromolecules, Particles, and Colloids in Ionic Liquids: Structure, Stability, and Function
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Liquids".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 45
Special Issue Editors
Interests: proteins; protein aggregation; nanoparticles; small-angle X-ray scattering; ionic liquids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: ionic liquids; solvation; nanoparticles; electrolytes; lithium-ion batteries
Interests: ionic liquids; solvation; self-assembly; biomolecules; soft matter; small-angle X-ray scattering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as powerful solvents and co-solvents in soft matter science due to their tunable physicochemical properties, thermal stability, and negligible vapor pressure. Their unique solvation and interfacial characteristics enable the stabilization of proteins, polymers, DNA/RNA, nanoparticles, and colloids, offering new avenues for drug delivery, catalysis, biomolecular preservation, and nanostructure fabrication.
As interest grows in green and functional solvents, the intersection of ILs with macromolecular and colloid science has become a dynamic field. However, key challenges remain in deciphering how the IL molecular structure governs soft matter behavior and exploiting these interactions for practical applications.
This Special Issue of Molecules invites original research and reviews on ILs in soft matter systems—including macromolecules, colloids, and nanoscale assemblies. We welcome experimental, theoretical, and simulation studies that explore the following:
- Solvation and stabilization of macromolecules;
- Biocompatible ILs in biopreservation and drug delivery;
- Self-assembly in ILs or deep eutectic solvents;
- IL-templated nanoparticle and hybrid material synthesis;
- Interfacial interactions and phase behavior;
- Molecular simulations of IL–macromolecule systems;
- Green solvent strategies in polymer and colloid processing.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Qi Han
Prof. Dr. Zhengfei Chen
Prof. Dr. Tamar Greaves
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- ionic liquids
- macromolecules
- colloids
- self-assembly
- nanoparticles
- green solvents
- soft matter
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
