Enhanced CO2 Capture through SAPO-34 Impregnated with Ionic Liquid.

The concurrent utilization of an adsorbent and absorbent for carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption with synergistic effects presents a promising technique for CO2 capture. Here, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole acetate ([Bmim][Ac]), with a high affinity for CO2, and the molecular sieve SAPO-34 were selected. The impregnation method was used to composite the hybrid samples of [Bmim][Ac]/SAPO-34, and the pore structure and surface property of prepared samples were characterized. The quantity and kinetics of the sorbed CO2 for loaded samples were measured using thermogravimetric analysis. The study revealed that SAPO-34 could retain its pristine structure after [Bmim][Ac] loading. The CO2 uptake of the loaded sample was 1.879 mmol g-1 at 303 K and 1 bar, exhibiting a 20.6% rise compared to that of the pristine SAPO-34 recording 1.558 mmol g-1. The CO2 uptake kinetics of the loaded samples were also accelerated, and the apparent mass transfer resistance for CO2 sorption was significantly reduced by 11.2% compared with that of the pure [Bmim][Ac]. The differential scanning calorimetry method revealed that the loaded sample had a lower CO2 desorption heat than that of the pure [Bmim][Ac], and the CO2 desorption heat of the loaded samples was between 30.6 and 40.8 kJ mol-1. The samples exhibited good cyclic stability. This material displays great potential for CO2 capture applications, facilitating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Efficient Selective Carbon Dioxide Separation via Task-Specific Ionic Liquids Incorporated in ZIF-8.

Owing to the rapid increase in anthropogenic emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which has resulted in a number of global climate challenges, a decrease in CO2 emissions is urgently needed in the current scenario. This study focuses on the development and characterization of composites for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation. The composites consist of two task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs), namely, tetramethylgunidinium imidazole [TMGHIM] and tetramethylgunidinium phenol [TMGHPhO], impregnated in ZIF-8. The performance of CO2 separation, including sorption capacity and selectivity, was evaluated for pristine ZIF-8 and composites of TMGHIM@ZIF-8 and TMGHPhO@ZIF-8. To demonstrate the thermal stability of the material, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed. Additionally, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to showcase the crystal structures and morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET were also utilized to confirm the successful incorporation of TSILs into ZIF-8. The composite synthesized with TMGHIM@ZIF-8 demonstrated superior CO2 sorption performance as compared with TMGHPhO@ZIF-8. This is attributed to its strong attraction toward CO2, resulting in a higher CO2/CH4 selectivity of 110 while pristine MOFs showed 12 that is 9 times higher than that of the pristine ZIF-8. These TSILs@ZIF-8 composites have significant potential in designing sorbent materials for efficient acid gas separation applications.

Integrative studies of ionic liquid interface layers: bridging experiments, theoretical models and simulations.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a class of salts existing in the liquid state below 100 °C, possessing low volatility, high thermal stability as well as many highly attractive solvent and electrochemical capabilities, etc., making them highly tunable for a great variety of applications, such as lubricants, electrolytes, and soft functional materials. In many applications, ILs are first either physi- or chemisorbed on a solid surface to successively create more functional materials. The functions of ILs at solid surfaces can differ considerably from those of bulk ILs, mainly due to distinct interfacial layers with tunable structures resulting in new ionic liquid interface layer properties and enhanced performance. Due to an almost infinite number of possible combinations among the cations and anions to form ILs, the diversity of various solid surfaces, as well as different external conditions and stimuli, a detailed molecular-level understanding of their structure-property relationship is of utmost significance for a judicious design of IL-solid interfaces with appropriate properties for task-specific applications. Many experimental techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, surface force apparatus, and so on, have been used for studying the ion structuring of the IL interface layer. Molecular Dynamics simulations have been widely used to investigate the microscopic behavior of the IL interface layer. To interpret and clarify the IL structure and dynamics as well as to predict their properties, it is always beneficial to combine both experiments and simulations as close as possible. In another theoretical model development to bridge the structure and properties of the IL interface layer with performance, thermodynamic prediction & property modeling has been demonstrated as an effective tool to add the properties and function of the studied nanomaterials. Herein, we present recent findings from applying the multiscale triangle "experiment-simulation-thermodynamic modeling" in the studies of ion structuring of ILs in the vicinity of solid surfaces, as well as how it qualitatively and quantitatively correlates to the overall ILs properties, performance, and function. We introduce the most common techniques behind "experiment-simulation-thermodynamic modeling" and how they are applied for studying the IL interface layer structuring, and we highlight the possibilities of the IL interface layer structuring in applications such as lubrication and energy storage.

Confining Ionic Liquids in Developing Quasi-Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries.

The concept of confining ionic liquids (ILs) in developing quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs) has been proposed, where ILs are dispersed in polymer networks/backbones and/or filler/host pores, forming the so-called confinement, and great research progress and promising research results have been achieved. In this review, the progress and achievement in developing QSSEs using IL-confinement for lithium metal batteries (LMBs), together with advanced characterizations and simulations, were surveyed, summarized, and analyzed, where the influence of specific parameters, such as IL (type, content, etc.), substrate (type, structure, surface properties, etc.), confinement methods, and so on, was discussed. The confinement concept was further compared with the conventional one in other research areas. It indicates that the IL-confinement in QSSEs improves the performance of electrolytes, for example, increasing the ionic conductivity, widening the electrochemical window, and enhancing the cycle performance of the assembled cells, and being different from those in other areas, that is, the IL-confinement concept in the battery area is in a broad extent. Finally, insights into developing QSSEs in LMBs with the confinement strategy were provided to promote the development and application of QSSE LMBs.

Medicine Targeting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Treat Airway Remodeling and Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression.

Objective. Dysregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the airway epithelium is associated with airway remodeling and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Many treatments have been shown to inhibit airway remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis progression in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by regulating EMT and have few side effects. This review aimed to describe the development of airway remodeling through the EMT pathway, as well as the potential therapeutic targets in these pathways. Furthermore, this study aimed to review the current research on drugs to treat airway remodeling and their effects on the EMT pathway. Findings. The dysregulation of EMT was associated with airway remodeling in various respiratory diseases. The cytokines released during inflammation may induce EMT and subsequent airway remodeling. Various drugs, including herbal formulations, specific herbal compounds, cytokines, amino acid or protein inhibitors, microRNAs, and vitamins, may suppress airway remodeling by inhibiting EMT-related pathways.

Beyond borders: exploring the impact of augmented reality on intercultural competence and L2 learning motivation in EFL learners.

Introduction: This mixed-methods study investigates the impact of augmented reality (AR) on the development of intercultural competence and L2 (second language) learning motivation among Chinese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. The research comprised forty-eight intermediate-level learners who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, receiving AR-based language instruction, or a control group, receiving traditional instruction. Methods: Both groups underwent pre- and post-tests to assess their intercultural competence and L2 learning motivation. The experimental group engaged with an AR application, which exposed learners to a variety of cultural scenarios, customs, and norms. Results: The results indicate that the experimental group, exposed to AR-based instruction, demonstrated significantly higher levels of intercultural competence and L2 learning motivation in comparison to the control group. Discussion: Qualitative data analysis further elucidated that AR-based instruction enhanced learners' engagement, motivation, and deepened their cultural understanding. This study highlights the potential of augmented reality as a powerful tool for fostering the development of intercultural competence and L2 learning motivation within the EFL context, suggesting promising opportunities for innovative pedagogical approaches in language education.

Lycopene alleviates food allergy by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in peanut-sensitized BALB/c mice.

Food allergies, which lead to life-threatening acute symptoms, are considered an important public health problem. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficient preventive and treatment measures. We developed a crude peanut protein extract (PPE)-induced allergy mouse model to investigate the effects of lycopene on peanut allergy. Mice were divided into four groups: 5 mg/kg lycopene, 20 mg/kg lycopene, no treatment, and control groups. Serum inflammatory factors were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, pathology and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to examine the small intestine of mice. We found that lycopene decreased PPE-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IL-13 levels in the serum, relieved small intestine inflammation, attenuated the production of histamine and mouse mast cell protease-1, and downregulated PI3K and AKT1 expression in the small intestine tissues of mice allergic to peanuts. Our results suggest that lycopene can ameliorate allergy by attenuating the PI3K/AKT pathway and the anaphylactic reactions mediated by PPE-specific IgE.

Superior gravimetric CO2 uptake of aqueous deep-eutectic solvent solutions.

A 30% (w/w) [ImCl][EDA]-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) in water has demonstrated superior gravimetric CO2 uptake with desirable kinetics, lower regeneration enthalpy, and lesser degradation than the industrially popular 30% monoethanolamine (MEA) solution.

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate threats to surface waters at the national scale: A neglected traditional pollutant.

Freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services might decline due to exposure to chemicals. However, researchers have devoted much attention to the potential risks of emerging contaminants, while placing less effort on historical pollutants, such as the surfactant, linear-alkylbenzene-sulfonate (LAS), which is a major component of widely used synthetic detergents worldwide. In this study, a multilevel risk assessment approach was used to assess risks posed by LAS to aquatic organisms, on a wide spatial scale, based on various assessment endpoints. Additionally, bottom-up approaches were used to assess contributions of LAS source discharges to aquatic environments. Concentrations of LAS in surface waters of China ranged from less than the limit of detection to 14,200 µg/L. The predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) based on adverse effects on reproduction is 15 µg/L, which is slightly less than the PNEC based on other endpoints. 99% of surface waters in Chaohu Lake and the Hai River (Ch: Haihe) were predicted to pose a risk to growth of aquatic organisms, with a protection threshold of 5% of species (HC5). Discharges of LAS were estimated using activity data and emission factors for 280 major cities in the basin. Rural domestic sources were the main source of LAS to surface waters. These outcomes provided a process for developing comprehensive management and control approaches to help researchers and policymakers effectively manage water resources affected by increasing concentrations of LAS.

Gel Electrolytes: Chemistry and Applications.

This Special Collection highlights the latest developments in the field of gel electrolytes. In this Editorial, guest editors Haitao Zhang, Du Yuan, Jin Zhao, Xiaoyan Ji, and Yi-Zhou Zhang briefly introduced the research focusing on chemistry and applications of gel electrolytes in this special collection.

Ti-Si-Zr-Zn Nanometallic Glass Substrate with a Tunable Zinc Composition for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Cytochrome c.

As a remarkably powerful analytical technique, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) continues to find applications from molecular biology and chemistry to environmental and food sciences. In search of reliable and affordable SERS substrates, the development has moved from noble metals to other diverse types of structures, e.g., nano-engineered semiconductor materials, but the cost of the enhancement factors (EF) substantially decreasing. In this work, we employ biocompatible thin films of Ti-Si-Zr-Zn nanometallic glasses as the SERS substrates, while tuning the Zn composition. Aided by quartz crystal microbalance, we find that the composition of 4.3% Zn (Ti-Si-Zr-Zn4.3) gives an ultrasensitive detection of Cytochrome c (Cyt c) with an EF of 1.38 × 104, 10-fold higher than the previously reported EF in the semiconducting metal oxide nanomaterials, such as TiO2, and even comparable to the reported noble-metal-assisted semiconducting tungsten oxide hydrate. Ti-Si-Zr-Zn4.3 exhibits a stronger adhesion force toward Cyt c, which ensures the strong binding of Cyt c to the surface, facilitating the Cyt c adsorption onto the surface and thus enhancing the SERS signal. The high separation efficiency of photoinduced electrons and holes in Ti-Si-Zr-Zn4.3 is also acknowledged for promoting the SERS activity.

Autophagy ameliorates Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected diabetic wounds by regulating the toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88 pathway.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most common complications in patients with diabetes and a leading cause of lower extremity amputation. DFUs are exacerbated by prolonged bacterial infection; therefore, there is an urgent need for effective treatments to alleviate the burden associated with this condition. Although autophagy plays a unique role in pathogen phagocytosis and inflammation, its role in diabetic foot infections (DFIs) remains unclear. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is the most frequently isolated gram-negative bacterium from DFUs. Here, we evaluated the role of autophagy in ameliorating PA infection in wounds in a diabetic rat model and a bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) hyperglycemia model. Both models were pretreated with or without rapamycin (RAPA) and then infected with or without PA. Pretreatment of rats with RAPA significantly enhanced PA phagocytosis, suppressed wound inflammation, reduced the M1:M2 macrophage ratio, and improved wound healing. In vitro investigation of the underlying mechanisms revealed that enhanced autophagy resulted in decreased macrophage secretion of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß but increased that of IL-10 in response to PA infection. Additionally, RAPA treatment significantly enhanced autophagy in macrophages by increasing LC3 and beclin-1 levels, which led to altered macrophage function. Furthermore, RAPA blocked the PA-induced TLR4/MyD88 pathway to regulate macrophage polarisation and inflammatory cytokine production, which was validated by RNA interference and use of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). These findings suggest enhancing autophagy as a novel therapeutic strategy against PA infection to ultimately improve diabetic wound healing.

Downregulation of TNFAIP1 alleviates OGD/R­induced neuronal damage by suppressing Nrf2/GPX4­mediated ferroptosis.

TNFα-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) serve a role in neurovascular disease. However, the potential role and molecular mechanism of TNFAIP1 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) remains elusive. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to assess TNFAIP1 mRNA and protein expression levels in PC12 cells. Furthermore, using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and western blotting, cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. Oxidative stress was evaluated using DCFH-DA staining and ELISA was used for assessment of inflammatory factors. Expression of components in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and ferroptosis were assessed using western blotting analysis and an iron assay kit. TNFAIP1 expression was significantly upregulated in oxygen glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-injured PC12 cells. However, knocking down TNFAIP1 expression restored PC12 cell viability and decreased apoptosis following OGD/R-challenge. Furthermore, TNFAIP1 silencing significantly suppressed OGD/R-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in PC12 cells. TNFAIP1 knockdown inhibited ferroptosis via activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway in OGD/R-injured PC12 cells. Erastin treatment reversed the beneficial effects of TNFAIP1 knockdown on PC12 cell viability, apoptosis alleviation, oxidative stress and inflammation following OGD/R treatment. These results suggested that TNFAIP1 knockdown could alleviate OGD/R-induced neuronal cell damage by suppressing Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis, which might lay the foundation for the investigation of targeted-therapy for cerebral I/R injury in clinic.

MD simulations explain the excess molar enthalpies in pseudo-binary mixtures of a choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent with water or methanol.

The addition of molecular liquid cosolvents to choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is increasingly investigated for reducing the inherently high bulk viscosities of the latter, which represent a major obstacle for potential industrial applications. The molar enthalpy of mixing, often referred to as excess molar enthalpy H E-a property reflecting changes in intermolecular interactions upon mixing-of the well-known ChCl/ethylene glycol (1:2 molar ratio) DES mixed with either water or methanol was recently found to be of opposite sign at 308.15 K: Mixing of the DES with water is strongly exothermic, while methanol mixtures are endothermic over the entire mixture composition range. Knowledge of molecular-level liquid structural changes in the DES following cosolvent addition is expected to be important when selecting such "pseudo-binary" mixtures for specific applications, e.g., solvents. With the aim of understanding the reason for the different behavior of selected DES/water or methanol mixtures, we performed classical MD computer simulations to study the changes in intermolecular interactions thought to be responsible for the observed H E sign difference. Excess molar enthalpies computed from our simulations reproduce, for the first time, the experimental sign difference and composition dependence of the property. We performed a structural analysis of simulation configurations, revealing an intriguing difference in the interaction modes of the two cosolvents with the DES chloride anion: water molecules insert between neighboring chloride anions, forming ionic hydrogen-bonded bridges that draw the anions closer, whereas dilution of the DES with methanol results in increased interionic separation. Moreover, the simulated DES/water mixtures were found to contain extended hydrogen-bonded structures containing water-bridged chloride pair arrangements, the presence of which may have important implications for solvent applications.

[Variation Characteristics of Surface Water Quality in China in Recent Years].

Based on data from 839 comparable sections (sites) of the national surface water environmental quality monitoring network from 2012 to 2020, the variation tendency of surface water environmental quality over the past nine years was analyzed. The results showed that the environmental quality of surface water in China has continuously improved, the proportion of Grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ water quality increased steadily, and the proportion of inferior Grade Ⅴ water quality decreased in succession. The annual average concentration of ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, and permanganate index all showed a decreasing trend annually; compared with those in 2012, the three indicator concentrations respectively declined 75.9%, 48.2%, and 17.5% by 2020. In Guangxi, Hainan, and Ningxia, the proportion of Grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ water quality sections was maintained at 100%, whereas Hubei and Jiangxi showed a consecutive decreasing trend, and the other provinces showed a consecutive increasing trend. In Guangxi, Hainan, Ningxia, Hunan, and Fujian, the proportion of inferior Grade Ⅴ water quality sections remained at 0, and the other provinces showed a decreasing trend yearly. The annual average concentration of total phosphorus in Guangxi and Jiangxi and the permanganate index in Hubei, Hainan, and Liaoning increased annually, whereas that in the other provinces decreased to varying degrees. The proportion of Grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ water quality sections in Ten Major basins showed a fluctuating upward trend. The proportion of inferior Grade Ⅴ water quality in the Zhejiang and Fujian Slice Rivers was maintained at 0, and the other river basins showed a fluctuating and declining trend. The annual average of the main pollution indicators all decreased to varying degrees. In 2020, 53% of 32 important lakes were eutrophic, which increased 12% compared to that in 2012. On the whole, surface water quality has generally improved in China during the past nine years; especially since the 13th Five-Year Plan period, remarkable achievements have been made in the prevention and control of water pollution. However, there are differences among various provinces and basins, the improvement in water environmental quality is unbalanced and uncoordinated, water resources are distributed unevenly, and the eutrophication trend of lakes and reservoirs is not optimistic. In the future, water resources, water environment, and water ecology should be overall managed, and great attention should be focused on precise pollution control and ecological restoration of surface water.

Quantitative proteomic dataset of whole protein in three melanoma samples of 92.1, 92.1-A and 92.1-B.

Distant metastasis is common in ocular uveal melanoma (uveal melanoma, UM) [1], with possible identification of relevant protein markers in peripheral blood [2], [3]. Proteomics analyses serve as a basis for the screening of new target proteins. However, it is difficult to determine whether the relevant proteins in peripheral blood are the same kinesins as those in primary lesions and metastases. Specially in this study, human UM cells (92.1) [4] were inoculated into the back of the eyeball and the brain of inbred line nude mice transplanted with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) [5], respectively, to simulate the growth of UM in situ and in brain metastases. A database was established as follows: Firstly, the xenograft was taken for monoclonal re-culture and amplification. Then, the cells after amplification (92.1-A in the back of the eyeball and 92.1-B in the brain) and their parent cells (92.1) were subjected to Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-labeling proteomic analysis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Covering differential proteomes of three cell lines in a pairwise model, the data could be used to further screen the kinesins that play a vital role in regulating the growth of UM.

Reviewing and screening ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for effective CO2 capture.

CO2 capture is essential for both mitigating CO2 emissions and purifying/conditioning gases for fuel and chemical production. To further improve the process performance with low environmental impacts, different strategies have been proposed, where developing liquid green absorbent for capturing CO2 is one of the effective options. Ionic liquids (IL)/deep eutectic solvents (DES) have recently emerged as green absorbents with unique properties, especially DESs also benefit from facile synthesis, low toxicity, and high biodegradability. To promote their development, this work summarized the recent research progress on ILs/DESs developed for CO2 capture from the aspects of those physical- and chemical-based, and COSMO-RS was combined to predict the properties that are unavailable from published articles in order to evaluate their performance based on the key properties for different IL/DES-based technologies. Finally, top 10 ILs/DESs were listed based on the corresponding criteria. The shared information will provide insight into screening and further developing IL/DES-based technologies for CO2 capture.

Comparison of the efficiency of anti-VEGF drugs intravitreal injections treatment with or without retinal laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficiency of anti-VEGF drugs intravitreal injections(IVI) treatment with or without retinal laser photocoagulation(LPC) for macular edema(ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO). Methods: The randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies including anti-VEGF drug IVI combined with retinal LPC and single IVI in the treatment of macular edema secondary to RVO were collected in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. We extracted the main outcome indicators including the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT), the number of injections and the progress of retinal non-perfusion areas(NPAs) for systematic evaluation, to observe whether IVI + LPC could be more effective on the prognosis of RVO. We use Review Manager 5.4 statistical software to analyze the data Results: 527 articles were initially retrieved. We included 20 studies, with a total of 1387 patients who were divided into the combination(IVI + LPC) treatment group and the single IVI group. All the patients completed the ocular examination including BCVA, slit-lamp test, fundus examination and Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT) test before and after each treatment. There was no statistical difference between the combination treatment group and single IVI group on BCVA(WMD = 0.12,95%CI = -3.54-3.78,p = 0.95),CMT(WMD = -4.40,95%CI = -21.33-12.53,p = 0.61) and NPAs(WMD = 0.01,95%CI = -0.28-0.30,p = 0.94).However, the number of IVI was decreased significantly in the combination treatment group in BRVO patients, compared to that in the single IVI group(WMD = -0.69,95%CI = -1.18∼-0.21,p = 0.005). Conclusion: In the treatment of RVO patients with macular edema, the combination of IVI and retinal LPC neither improves BCVA nor reduces CMT significantly compared with the single IVI treatment. However, the combination treatment can decrease the number of intravitreal injections in patients with BRVO, while it is not observed in CRVO patients.

High-sensitivity all-optical PA spectrometer based on fast swept laser interferometry.

A high-sensitivity all-optical photoacoustic spectroscopy based on fast swept laser interferometry is proposed to trace gas detection. The momentary cavity length of the fiber-optic Fabry-Perot microphone is demodulated by a fast swept-laser interferometry with an instantaneous frequency demodulation algorithm. The all-optical photoacoustic spectroscopy based on the designed microphone was tested for trace acetylene gas detection in the near-infrared region. The normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient for acetylene gas is achieved to be 1.06 × 10-9 cm-1 W Hz-1∕2.

Atomic force microscopy probing interactions and microstructures of ionic liquids at solid surfaces.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are room temperature molten salts that possess preeminent physicochemical properties and have shown great potential in many applications. However, the use of ILs in surface-dependent processes, e.g. energy storage, is hindered by the lack of a systematic understanding of the IL interfacial microstructure. ILs on the solid surface display rich ordering, arising from coulombic, van der Waals, solvophobic interactions, etc., all giving near-surface ILs distinct microstructures. Therefore, it is highly important to clarify the interactions of ILs with solid surfaces at the nanoscale to understand the microstructure and mechanism, providing quantitative structure-property relationships. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) opens a surface-sensitive way to probe the interaction force of ILs with solid surfaces in the layers from sub-nanometers to micrometers. Herein, this review showcases the recent progress of AFM in probing interactions and microstructures of ILs at solid interfaces, and the influence of IL characteristics, surface properties and external stimuli is thereafter discussed. Finally, a summary and perspectives are established, in which, the necessities of the quantification of IL-solid interactions at the molecular level, the development of in situ techniques closely coupled with AFM for probing IL-solid interfaces, and the combination of experiments and simulations are argued.