Effects of additives and post‐treatment on the thermoelectric performance of vapor‐phase polymerized PEDOT films

Vapor‐phase polymerization (VPP) is an important method for the fabrication of high‐quality conducting polymers, especially poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). In this work, the effects of additives and post‐treatment solvents on the thermoelectric (TE) performance of VPP‐PEDOT films were systematically investigated. The use of 1‐butyl‐3‐menthylinidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF₄], an ionic liquid) was shown to significantly enhance the electrical conductivity of VPP‐PEDOT films compared with other additives. The VPP‐PEDOT film post‐treated with mixed ethylene glycol (EG)/[BMIm][BF₄] solvent displayed the high power factor of 45.3 μW m^?1 K^?2 which is 122% higher than that prepared without any additive or post‐treatment solvent, along with enhanced electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. This work highlighted the superior effect of the [BMIm][BF₄] additive and the EG/[BMIm][BF₄] solvent post‐treatment on the TE performance of the VPP‐PEDOT film. These results should help with developing the VPP method to fabricate high‐performance PEDOT films. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55 , 1738–1744     

Aerobic and Electrochemical Oxidative Cross‐Dehydrogenative‐Coupling (CDC) Reaction in an Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquid

The ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIm][BF₄] has demonstrated high efficiency when applied as a solvent in the oxidative nitro‐Mannich carbon? carbon bond formation. The copper‐catalyzed cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) between N‐phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline and nitromethane in [BMIm][BF₄] occurred with high yield under the described reaction conditions. Both the ionic liquid and copper catalyst were recycled nine times with almost no lost of activity. The electrochemical behavior of the tertiary amine substrate and β‐nitroamine product was investigated employing [BMIm][BF₄] as electrolyte solvent. The potentiostatic electrolysis in ionic liquid afforded the desired product with a high yield. This result and the cyclic voltammetric investigation provide a better understanding of the reaction mechanism, which involves radical and iminium cation intermediates.     

The physicochemical properties of some imidazolium-based ionic liquids and their binary mixtures

The density, viscosity and conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([omim][BF4]), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([omim][Cl]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([hmim] BF4]), 1-hexyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([hmim][Cl]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([hmim][PF6]), and the [omim][BF4] + [omim][Cl], [hmim][BF4] + [hmim][Cl], and [hmim][PF6] + [hmim][Cl] binary mixtures were studied at dif- ferent temperatures. It was demonstrated that the densities of both the neat ILs and their mixtures varied linearly with temper- ature. The density sensitivity of a binary mixture is between those of the two components. The excess molar volumes (VE) of [hmim][BF4] + [hmim][Cl] and [hmim][PF6] + [hmim][Cl] mixtures are positive in the whole composition range. For [omim][BF4] + [omim][Cl], the VE is also positive in the [omim][Cl]-rich region, but is negative in the [omim][BF4]-rich re- gion. The viscosity or conductivity of a mixture is in the intermediate of those of the two neat ILs. For all the neat ILs and the binary mixtures studied, the order of conductivity is opposite to that of the viscosity. The Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equations can be used to fit the viscosity and conductivity of all the neat ILs and the binary mixtures. The neat ILs and their mixtures obey the Fractional Walden Rule very well, and the values of the Walden slopes are all smaller than unit, indicating obvious ion associations in the neat ILs and the binary mixtures.     

Ionic Association of the Ionic Liquids [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][PF6], and [Cnmim]Br in Molecular Solvents

Considering the ionic nature of ionic liquids (ILs), ionic association is expected to be essential in solutions of ILs and to have an important influence on their applications. Although numerous studies have been reported for the ionic association behavior of ILs in solution, quantitative results are quite scarce. Herein, the conductivities of the ILs [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12), [C₄mim][BF₄], and [C₄mim][PF₆] in various molecular solvents (water, methanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐pentanol, acetonitrile, and acetone) are determined at 298.15 K as a function of IL concentration. The conductance data are analyzed by the Lee–Wheaton conductivity equation in terms of the ionic association constant (K_A) and the limiting molar conductance (Λ_m⁰). Combined with the values for the Br^? anion reported in the literature, the limiting molar conductivities and the transference numbers of the cations and [BF₄]^? and [PF₆]^? anions are calculated in the molecular solvents. It is shown that the alkyl chain length of the cations and type of anion affect the ionic association constants and limiting molar conductivities of the ILs. For a given anion (Br^?), the Λ_m⁰ values decrease with increasing alkyl chain length of the cations in all the molecular solvents, whereas the K_A values of the ILs decrease in organic solvents but increase in water as the alkyl chain length of the cations increases. For the [C₄mim]⁺ cation, the limiting molar conductivities of the ILs decrease in the order Br^?>[BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?, and their ionic association constants follow the order [BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?>Br^? in water, acetone, and acetonitrile. Furthermore, and similar to the classical electrolytes, a linear relationship is observed between ln K_A of the ILs and the reciprocal of the dielectric constants of the molecular solvents. The ILs are solvated to a different extent by the molecular solvents, and ionic association is affected significantly by ionic solvation. This information is expected to be useful for the modulation of the IL conductance by the alkyl chain length of the cations, type of anion, and physical properties of the molecular solvents.     

Thermoresponsive poly(ionic liquid): Controllable RAFT synthesis,thermoresponse, and application in dispersion RAFT polymerization

The thermoresponsive poly(ionic liquid) of poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐methylimidozolium tetrafluoroborate] trithiocarbonate (P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC) showing the soluble‐to‐insoluble phase transition in the methanol/water mixture at the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) was synthesized by solution RAFT polymerization and the synthesized P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC was employed as macro‐RAFT agent to mediate the RAFT polymerization under dispersion condition to afford the thermoresponsive diblock copolymer nanoparticles of poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐methylimidozolium tetrafluoroborate]‐b‐polystyrene (P[VBMI][BF₄]‐b‐PS). The controllable solution RAFT polymerization was achieved as indicated by the linearly increasing polymer molecular weight with the monomer conversion and the narrow molecular weight distribution. The P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC macro‐RAFT agent mediated dispersion polymerization afforded the P[VBMI][BF₄]‐b‐PS nanoparticles, the size of which was uncorrelated with the polymerization degree of the P[VBMI][BF₄] block. Several parameters including the polymerization degree, the polymer concentration and the water content in the solvent of the methanol/water mixture were found to be correlated with the UCST of the poly(ionic liquid). The synthesized poly(ionic liquid) is believed to be a new thermos‐responsive polymer and will be useful in material science. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 945–954     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis Behaviors of Glucose Oxidase Based on Hyaluronic Acid-Carbon Nanotubes-Ionic Liquid Composite Film

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were dispersed in the ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄] to form a uniform black suspension. Based on it, a novel glucose oxidase (GOx)‐hyaluronic (HA)‐[BMIM][BF₄]‐MWNTs/GCE modified electrode was fabricated. UV‐vis spectroscopy confirmed that GOx immobilized in the composite film retained its native structure. The experimental results of EIS indicated MWNTs, [BMIM][BF₄] and HA were successfully immobilized on the surface of GCE and [BMIM][BF₄]‐MWNTs could obviously improve the diffusion of ferricyanide toward the electrode surface. The experimental results of CV showed that a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible peaks of GOx at the modified electrode was exhibited, and the redox reaction of GOx at the modified electrode was surface‐confined and quasi‐reversible electrochemical process. The average surface coverage of GOx and the apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant were 8.5×10⁻⁹ mol/cm² and 9.8 mmol/L, respectively. The cathodic peak current of GOx and the glucose concentration showed linear relationship in the range from 0.1 to 2.0 mmol/L with a detection limit of 0.03 mmol/L (S/N=3). As a result, the method presented here could be easily extended to immobilize and obtain the direct electrochemistry of other redox enzymes or proteins.     

Counterion Dynamics in an Interpenetrated Coordination Cage Capable of Dissolving AgCl

In solution, the eight BF₄^? counterions of a positively charged D₄‐symmetric interpenetrated [Pd₄ligand₈]⁸⁺ double cage ( 1 ) are localized in distinct positions. At low temperatures, one BF₄^? ion is encapsulated inside the central pocket of the supramolecular structure, two BF₄^? ions are bound inside the equivalent outer pockets, and the remaining five BF₄^? ions are located outside the cage structure (expressed by the formula [3 BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅). On warming, the two BF₄^? ions in the outer pockets are found to exchange with the exterior ions in solution whereas the central BF₄^? ion stays locked inside the central cavity (here written as [BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₇). The exchange kinetics were determined by exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) NMR experiments and line‐shape fitting in different solvents. The tremendously high affinity of this double cage for the binding of two chloride ions inside the outer pockets allows for complete exchange of two BF₄^? ions by the addition of solid AgCl to give [2 Cl+BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅. The uptake of the two chloride ions is allosteric and is thus accompanied by a structural rearrangement (compression along the Pd₄ axis) of the double cage structure. An analysis by using 900 MHz NOESY NMR spectroscopy shows that this compression of about 3.3 % is associated with a helical twist of 8°, which together resemble a screw motion. As a consequence of squeezing each of the outer two pockets by 53 %, the volume of the central pocket is increased by 43 %, which results in an increase of 36 % in the ¹⁹F spin‐lattice relaxation time (T₁) of the central BF₄^? ion. The packing coefficients (PC) for the ions in the outer pockets (103 % for BF₄^? and 96 % for Cl^?) were calculated.     

Reverse ATRP process of acrylonitrile in the presence of ionic liquids

An ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim] [BF₄]), was first used as the solvent in azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)‐initiated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of acrylonitrile with FeCl₃/succinic acid (SA) as the catalyst system. The polymerization in [C₄mim][BF₄] proceeded in a well‐controlled manner as evidenced by kinetic studies. Compared with the polymerization in bulk, the polymerization in [C₄mim][BF₄] not only showed the best control of molecular weight and its distribution but also provided rather rapid reaction rate with the ratio of [C₄mim][BF₄] at 200:1:2:4. The polymerization apparent activation energies in [C₄mim][BF₄] and bulk were calculated to be 48.2 and 55.7 kJ mol^?1, respectively. Polyacrylonitrile obtained was successfully used as a macroinitiator to proceed the chain extension polymerization in [C₄mim][BF₄] via a conventional ATRP process. [C₄mim][BF₄] and the catalyst system could be easily recycled and reused after simple purification and had no effect on the living nature of polymerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2701–2707, 2008     

Synthesis and application of a chiral ionic liquid functionalized β‐cyclodextrin as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis

A novel chiral ionic liquid functionalized β‐cyclodextrin, 6‐O‐2‐hydroxpropyltrimethylammonium‐β‐cyclodextrin tetrafluoroborate ([HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄]), was synthesized and used as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis. [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] not only increased the solubility in aqueous buffer in comparison with the parent compound, but also provided a stable reversal electroosmotic flow, and the enantioseparation of eight chiral drugs was examined in phosphate buffer containing [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] as the chiral selector. The effects of the [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] concentration and the background electrolyte pH were studied. Moreover, the chiral separation abilities of β‐CD and [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] were compared and possible mechanisms for the chiral recognition of [HPTMA‐β‐CD][BF₄] are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The “one-pot” synthesis of 2,5-diformylfuran,a promising synthon for organic materials in the conversion of biomass

The organic ionic oxidant 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxopiperidinium tetrafluoroborate, [Pip*(O)][BF₄], was found to be compatible with both classical organic solvents and the ionic liquids [BMIm][Cl]/[BMIm][BF₄] (BMIm is 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium), which are essential in the conversion of cellulose biomass. A unique NMR monitoring procedure developed in our group was used to study the conversion of fructose to 2,5-diformylfuran in ionic liquids. This process can successfully be carried out in a “one-pot” fashion; [Pip*(O)][BF₄] efficiently oxidizes intermediate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. The reaction is highly selective, giving 2,5-diformylfuran in 95% yield.     

Green Synthesis of Pyrano[2,3‐d]‐pyrimidine Derivatives in Ionic Liquids

Pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized in high yields by a condensation reaction between arylmethylidenemalononitrile and barbituric acid using room‐temperature ionic liquids such as 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm]BF₄) or 1‐butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([BPy]BF₄) as solvents under neutral conditions.     

Effects of organic solvents and ionic liquids on the aminolysis of (RS)-methyl mandelate catalyzed by lipases

The enzymatic resolution of (RS)-methyl mandelate with n-butylamine using lipases in organic solvents (n-hexane, tert-butanol, and chloroform) and ionic liquids [BMIm][BF₄] and [BMIm][PF₆] is reported. The amide configuration is dependent on the organic solvent. When using mixtures of chloroform or tert-butanol/ionic liquids (10:1 v/v) with CAL-B as the catalyst, the amides were obtained in high enantiomeric excess (ee_p >99% and E >200).     

Ionic Liquid Ordering at an Oxide Surface

The interaction of the ionic liquid [C₄C₁Im][BF₄] with anatase TiO₂, a model photoanode material, has been studied using a combination of synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The system is of interest as a model for fundamental electrolyte–electrode and dye‐sensitized solar cells. The initial interaction involves degradation of the [BF₄]^? anion, resulting in incorporation of F into O vacancies in the anatase surface. At low coverages, [C₄C₁Im][BF₄] is found to order at the anatase(101) surface via electrostatic attraction, with the imidazolium ring oriented 32±4° from the anatase TiO₂ surface. As the coverage of ionic liquid increases, the influence of the oxide surface on the topmost layers is reduced and the ordering is lost.     

Controlling the Assembly of Chalcogenide Anions in Ionic Liquids: From Binary Ge/Se through Ternary Ge/Sn/Se to Binary Sn/Se Frameworks

Seven compounds with binary or ternary Ge/Se, Ge/Sn/Se, or Sn/Se anionic substructures crystallized upon the ionothermal reactions of [K₄(H₂O)₃][Ge₄Se₁₀] with SnCl₄ ? 5 H₂O or SnCl₂ in [BMMIm][BF₄] or [BMIm][BF₄] (BMMIm=1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethyl‐imidazolium, BMIm=1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium). The products were obtained by subtly varying the reaction conditions; the nature and amount of an additional amine was the most important parameter in the product selection and in determining the Sn/Ge ratio in the isolated products. The crystal structures of these chalcogenides were based on complex anions with unprecedented topologies that varied from discrete clusters (0D) through 1D chain structures or 2D layers to 3D frameworks. The architecture and composition of the title compounds were well reflected by their optical absorption behavior. Herein, we report a convenient approach for the generation of chalcogenidometallate phases with fine‐tunable electronic properties in ionic liquids, which have been inaccessible by traditional methods.     

Measurement and Correlation of the Ionic Conductivity of Ionic Liauid-Molecular Solvent Solutions

The ionic conductivity of the solutions formed from 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate （[Bmim][BF4]） or 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate （[Bmim][PF6]） and different molecular solvents （MSs） were measured at 298.15 K. The molar conductivity of the ionic liquids （ILs） increased dramatically with increasing concentration of the MSs. It was found that the molar conductivity of the IL in the solutions studied in this work could be well correlated by the molar conductivity of the neat ILs and the dielectric constant and molar volume of the MSs.     

Cyanidosilicates—Synthesis and Structure

Starting from fluoridosilicate precursors in neat cyanotrimethylsilane, Me₃Si?CN, a series of different ammonium salts [R₃NMe]⁺ (R=Et, ⁿPr, ⁿBu) with the novel [SiF(CN)₅]^2? and [Si(CN)₆]^2? dianions was synthesized in facile, temperature controlled F^?/CN^? exchange reactions. Utilizing decomposable, non‐innocent cations, such as [R₃NH]⁺, it was possible to generate metal salts of the type M₂[Si(CN)₆] (M⁺=Li⁺, K⁺) via neutralization reactions with the corresponding metal hydroxides. The ionic liquid [BMIm]₂[Si(CN)₆] (m.p.=72 °C, BMIm=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) was obtained by a salt metathesis reaction. All the synthesized salts could be isolated in good yields and were fully characterized.     

ARGET ATRP of acrylonitrile with ionic liquid as reaction media and 1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as both ligand and reducing agent in the presence of air

[C₁₂mim][BF₄], [C₈mim][BF₄], and [C₄mim][BF₄] were first applied as reaction media for atom transfer radical polymerization using activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET ATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) with 1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as both ligand and reducing agent in the presence of air. The rate of polymerization in [C₁₂mim][BF₄] was considerably faster than in [C₈mim][BF₄] and [C₄mim][BF₄]. ARGET ATRP of AN in [C₁₂mim][BF₄] were better controlled than in [C₈mim][BF₄] and [C₄mim][BF₄] under the same experimental conditions. With an increase in the content of PMDETA, the polymerization provided an accelerated reaction rate and a broader polymer molecular weight distribution. A slow polymerization rate and a broad polydispersity index were observed using TMEDA instead of PMDETA as both ligand and reducing agent. There was an obvious induction period with CuCl₂ instead of CuBr₂ as catalyst. Well‐defined PAN‐b‐PMMA with higher molecular weight at 104,560 and relatively broader distribution at 1.35 was successfully prepared with PAN as macroinitiator via ARGET ATRP in [C₁₂mim][BF₄] in the presence of air. The resultant fibers were obtained with the fineness at 1.17dtex and the tenacity at 6.03cN · dtex^?1. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microwave Irradiation for the Facile Synthesis of Transition‐Metal Nanoparticles (NPs) in Ionic Liquids (ILs) from Metal–Carbonyl Precursors and Ru‐, Rh‐, and Ir‐NP/IL Dispersions as Biphasic Liquid–Liquid Hydrogenation Nanocatalysts for Cyclohexene

Stable chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, and iridium metal nanoparticles (M‐NPs) have been reproducibly obtained by facile, rapid (3 min), and energy‐saving 10 W microwave irradiation (MWI) under an argon atmosphere from their metal–carbonyl precursors [M_x(CO)_y] in the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF₄]). This MWI synthesis is compared to UV‐photolytic (1000 W, 15 min) or conventional thermal decomposition (180–250 °C, 6–12 h) of [M_x(CO)_y] in ILs. The MWI‐obtained nanoparticles have a very small (<5 nm) and uniform size and are prepared without any additional stabilizers or capping molecules as long‐term stable M‐NP/IL dispersions (characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), and dynamic light scattering (DLS)). The ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium nanoparticle/IL dispersions are highly active and easily recyclable catalysts for the biphasic liquid–liquid hydrogenation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane with activities of up to 522 (mol product) (mol Ru)^?1 h^?1 and 884 (mol product) (mol Rh)^?1 h^?1 and give almost quantitative conversion within 2 h at 10 bar H₂ and 90 °C. Catalyst poisoning experiments with CS₂ (0.05 equiv per Ru) suggest a heterogeneous surface catalysis of Ru‐NPs.     

Comparative Investigation of the Ionicity of Aprotic and Protic Ionic Liquids in Molecular Solvents by using Conductometry and NMR Spectroscopy

Electrical conductivity (σ), viscosity (η), and self‐diffusion coefficient (D) measurements of binary mixtures of aprotic and protic imidazolium‐based ionic liquids with water, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethylene glycol were measured from 293.15 to 323.15 K. The temperature dependence study reveals typical Arrhenius behavior. The ionicities of aprotic ionic liquids were observed to be higher than those of protic ionic liquids in these solvents. The aprotic ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmIm][BF₄], displays 100 % ionicity in both water and ethylene glycol. The protic ionic liquids in both water and ethylene glycol are classed as good ionic candidates, whereas in DMSO they are classed as having a poor ionic nature. The solvation dynamics of the ionic species of the ionic liquids are illustrated on the basis of the ¹H NMR chemical shifts of the ionic liquids. The self‐diffusion coefficients D of the cation and anion of [HmIm][CH₃COO] in D₂O and in [D₆]DMSO are determined by using ¹H nuclei with pulsed field gradient spin‐echo NMR spectroscopy.     

Stability of crown-ether complexes with alkali-metal ions in ionic liquid-water mixed solvents

Stability constants of sodium and cesium ion complexes with 18-crown-6 (18C6) and dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in N-butyl-4-methyl-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate [BMP][BF₄] aqueous solutions were measured using the ²³Na and ¹³³Cs NMR technique at 23 °C. To the best of our knowledge, the estimated values of stability constants reported in this study are the first such values given for ionic liquid solutions. The cationic exchange between the free and complexed species is rapid, and only formation of the 1:1 complexes [M(18C6)]⁺ and [M(DB18C6)]⁺ (M = Na⁺, Cs⁺) were observed. The complex formation constants demonstrated a strong dependence on the [BMP][BF₄] concentration. For [M(18C6)]⁺, in solutions with a 0.33–0.70 mole fraction of water in [BMP][BF₄], lg K values are found to be more than one unit higher than the lg K values measured in pure aqueous solutions, although no information concerning the influence of [BMP][BF₄] on the complex formation selectivity could be observed. DB18C6 complexes revealed significantly lower stability under the same conditions. An extrapolation to zero water content gave the lg K = 2.42 for [Cs(18C6)]⁺ in [BMP][BF₄]. It was discovered that when added to water, [BMP][BF₄] increases the solubility of crown ethers and decreases the solubility of alkali metal nitrates. Complex formation with crown ethers enhances the solubility of alkali metal salts in [BMP][BF₄].