Preparation of ionic liquid/silica nanocomposites possessing no weight loss characteristic after calcination at 800 °C

Tetraethoxysilane reacted with silica nanoparticles in the presence of a variety of ionic liquids such as phosphonium-, ammonium-, and imidazolium-type ionic liquids under alkaline conditions to afford the corresponding ionic liquid/silica nanocomposites with a good dispersibility and stability in numerous solvents. It was demonstrated that these ionic liquid nanocomposites can be classified into the nanocomposites possessing no weight loss and weight loss characteristics after calcination at 800 °C, respectively, according to the ionic liquid structures in the composites. The ionic liquids except for 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate were found to afford the corresponding ionic liquid/silica nanocomposites possessing no weight loss characteristic even after calcination at 800 °C.

Versatile heat resistant solid electrolytes with performances of liquid electrolytes

The confinement of ionic liquids (room temperature molten salts) within a porous silica matrix was performed by a one-step non-hydrolytic sol–gel route, leading to hybrid materials featuring both the mechanic and transparency properties of silica gels and the high ionic conductivity of ionic liquids, as well as a thermal stability up to around 550 K. Butylmethylimidazolium [BMI] or butylpyridinium [BPy] as cations with bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide [TFSI] or tetrafluoroborate [BF₄] as anions along with a silica matrix showed similar properties.     

Abnormal FT-IR and FTRaman spectra of ionic liquids confined in nano-porous silica gel

A new concept of designing and synthesizing highly dispersed ionic liquids was developed through physical confinement or encapsulation of them into silica gel matrix with sol-gel process. A series of silica gel confined ionic liquids were synthesized through this process and characterized by diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and FTRaman analysis, and abnormal FT-IR and FTRaman spectra were observed. The silica gel matrixes confined ionic liquid BMImBF(4) were further characterized by BET analysis after the ionic liquid was almost completely washed out by acetone under refluxing conditions and meso-porous silica gel matrixes were obtained according to the N(2) adsorption measurements, which suggested that the particle-size of the dispersed ionic liquids was in nano-scale. In consideration of the results obtained together, it could be found that the abnormal FT-IR and FTRaman spectra were changed with the pore-size of the silica gel matrix. For example, obvious abnormal FT-IR and FTRaman spectra appeared when the particle-size of ionic liquid BMImBF(4) is smaller than 11 nm while they disappeared again if the corresponding particle-size >11 nm. These results indicated that nano-effect, or restriction effect, produced from the nano-pores of silica gel was the reason for the abnormal FT-IR and FTRaman spectra.     

Porous texture of silica aerogels made with ionic liquids as gelation catalysts

The effect of four ionic liquids on the porous texture of silica aerogels synthesized from mixed tetramethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane and dried by the CO₂ supercritical method, was studied. Two of these ionic liquids were composed of BF₄ ⁻ anions while the other two included Cl⁻ anions. The synthesis of gels from ionic liquids did not require another acidic catalyst for silica hydrolysis, nor a basic catalyst for silica condensation. These aerogels were compared with traditional aerogels made according to a double step catalysis, which first involved hydrolysis with HCl followed by condensation with pH 9 Tris HCl buffer. Gel mass analysis and thermogravimetric data showed that, when the initial molar of ionic liquid to Si was 1.58, only ~2% (by mass) of the initial ionic liquids consisting of BF₄ ⁻ anions and ~10% (by mass) of ionic liquids containing Cl⁻ anions, remained in the aerogels after supercritical drying. Moreover, X-ray diffraction confirmed that in ionic liquids based on BF₄ ⁻ anions, evaporation of the volatile components before supercritical CO₂ drying led to the formation of regularly ordered mesopores.     

Silica-gel-confined ionic liquids: a new attempt for the development of supported nanoliquid catalysis

A new concept of designing and synthesizing highly dispersed ionic-liquid catalysts was developed through physical confinement or encapsulation of ionic liquids (with or without metal complex) in a silica-gel matrix through a sol-gel process. We studied ionic liquids such as EMImBF4, BuMImBF4, DMImBF4, CMImBF4, BuMImPF6, either with or without [Pd(PPh3)2Cl2] and [Rh(PPh3)3Cl], in a silica-gel matrix (E = ethyl, Bu = butyl M = methyl, D = decyl, C = cetyl and Im = imidazolium). The contents of ionic liquids and loadings of Pd or Rh were 8-53 wt % and 0.1 approximately 0.15 wt %, respectively. Analyses of FT-Raman spectra showed that abnormal Raman spectra of the confined ionic liquids were observed in comparison with the bulk and pure ionic liquids. EMImBF4 and BuMImBF4 ionic liquids could be completely washed out from the silica-gel matrix under vigorous reflux conditions, but ionic liquids with larger molecular size, for example, DMImBF4 or CMImBF4, could be confined into the silica-gel nanopores relatively firmly. These results suggested that the ionic liquids were physically confined or encapsulated into the silica gel. The N2 adsorption measurements indicated that the silica-gel skeleton was mesoporous with 50-110 A pore size after the BuMImBF4 ionic liquid was removed completely. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the silica-gel matrix was amorphous and non-uniformly mesoporous. Carbonylation of aniline and nitrobenzene for synthesis of diphenyl urea, carbonylation of aniline for synthesis of carbamates, and oxime transformation between cyclohexanone oxime and acetone were used as test reactions for these catalysts. Catalytic activities were remarkably enhanced with much lower amounts of ionic liquids needed with respect to bulk ionic-liquid catalysts or silica-supported ionic-liquid catalysts prepared with simple impregnation, in which the ionic liquid may be deposited as a thin layer on the support. Such unusual enhancement in catalytic activities may be attributed to the formation of nanoscale and high-concentration ionic liquids due to the confinement of the ionic liquid in silica gel; this results in unusual changes in the symmetry and coordination geometry of the ionic liquids.     

Silica Supported and Conventional Approaches for the Synthesis of Carbonyl Diimidazole Type of Ionic Liquids and Its Catalytic Activities

Synthesis of carbonyl diimidazole type of ionic liquids via silica supported and conventional methodologies under muffle furnace and refluxing condition, respectively, to give shorter reaction time and higher yield. We have studied the catalytic activities of our synthesized ionic liquids for polymerization reactions.     

Effect of confinement on ionic liquids dynamics in monolithic silica ionogels: 1H NMR study

(1)H MAS NMR and temperature-dependent relaxation time measurements were carried out for the first time on ionic liquids confined in monolithic silica matrices and enabled us to show that the ionic liquids' dynamics experienced only a very small slowing-down. The confinement preserved the ionic liquids' properties and, moreover, allowed liquid-like behaviour at temperatures below the crystallisation temperature of genuine ionic liquids. This study highlights the interest of the ionogel approach to all-solid state devices with genuine IL properties.     

(14)N NMR and two-dimensional suspension (1)H and (13)C HRMAS NMR spectroscopy of ionic liquids immobilized on silica

A variety of popular ionic liquids have been synthesized and characterized, including by optimized (14)N NMR spectroscopy of the neat and dissolved ionic liquids. Ionic liquids incorporating Si(OEt)(3) groups have been immobilized on silica in a well-defined manner with the imidazolium moiety remaining intact. This has been proved by optimized one- and two-dimensional (1)H and (13)C HRMAS NMR spectroscopy of the materials suspended in suitable solvents.     

Evaluation of the silanol-suppressing potency of ionic liquids

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the use of ionic liquids for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis. In the present study, the silanol-suppressing potency of ionic liquids was evaluated by HPLC using the two-retention site model proposed previously by Nahum and Horváth (J. Chromatogr. 1981, 203, 53-63). The binding constant, KA, in that approach has been demonstrated to reliably reflect the ability of the ionic liquids to block the silanols of the silica support material of the stationary phase. The determinations were carried out for ionic liquids of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium group with the use of a series of basic drugs as the test analytes. Comparison of ionic liquids with standard mobile phase additives such as triethylamine showed the former to possess advantages as silanol suppressors in HPLC. The main advantage of the method is that it provides a simple and fast determination of the silanol complex stability, which allowed comparison of the suppressing efficiency of several ionic liquids.     

负载型氨基功能化离子液体吸附CO2性能差异研究

以Al₂O₃、SiO₂和活性炭为载体,采用浸渍法制备了负载型离子液体（[NH₂p-mim]X:X= Br-,PF₆-,BF₄-,NTf₂-）CO₂吸附剂,利用红外光谱（FT-IR）、元素分析(EA)、热重差热分析（TG-DTA）等技术对负载型离子     

Preparation and characterization of functionalized precipitated silica SYLOID® 244 using ionic liquids as modifiers

Studies were performed on the chemical modification of SYLOID^® 244 (Grace) precipitated silica using ionic liquids. The unmodified and ionic‐liquid‐functionalized silica were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical and dispersive evaluation. Particle size, polydispersity and specific surface area (BET) and porous structure were examined. Moreover, stability of the colloids obtained was evaluated by estimation of isoelectric points. The extent of modification and its type were defined using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ²⁹Si‐cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning/nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The modification was not observed to deteriorate the dispersive properties of the silica. The silicas obtained exhibited a restricted tendency to form larger accumulations of particles, i.e. aggregates and agglomerates. Moreover, application of ionic liquids with a heptyloxymethyl or octyloxymethyl substituent resulted in complete hydrophobization of the silica surface. Tested powders manifested the highest stability within a pH range of 10–12. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Purification or contamination? The effect of sorbents on ionic liquids

Commonly used for purification, alumina and silica are found to contaminate ionic liquids with particles; these particles cannot be removed easily and can have a non-negligible impact on the electrochemical, spectroscopic and physical properties of an ionic liquid, including its nucleation and crystallisation kinetics.     

Novel emulsions of ionic liquids stabilised solely by silica nanoparticles

We have successfully prepared a series of novel stable emulsions, of both simple and multiple types, containing ionic liquids and stabilised solely by silica nanoparticles.     

Gelation of ionic liquid-based electrolytes with silica nanoparticles for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

For the first time silica nanoparticles were used to solidify ionic liquids. These ionic liquid-based quasi-solid-state electrolytes were successfully employed for regenerative photoelectrochemical cells that yielded 7% efficiency at AM 1.5 sunlight in combination with an amphiphilic ruthenium polypyridyl photosensitizer.     

Supported Ionic Liquid Catalysis

Supported ionic liquid catalysis is a concept which combines the advantages of ionic liquids with those of heterogeneous support materials. The viability of this concept has been confirmed by several studies which have successfully confined various ionic phases to the surface of support materials and explored their potential catalytic applications. Although the majority of the evaluated supports were silica based, several studies focused on polymeric materials including membranes. The preparation of these materials was achieved by using two different immobilization approaches. The first approach involves the covalent attachment of ionic liquids to the support surface whereas the second simply deposits the ionic liquid phases containing catalytically active species on the surface of the support. Herein recent advances made in this area are described.     

Supported ionic liquid catalysis

Supported ionic liquid catalysis is a concept which combines the advantages of ionic liquids with those of heterogeneous support materials. The viability of this concept has been confirmed by several studies which have successfully confined various ionic phases to the surface of support materials and explored their potential catalytic applications. Although the majority of the evaluated supports were silica based, several studies focused on polymeric materials including membranes. The preparation of these materials was achieved by using two different immobilization approaches. The first approach involves the covalent attachment of ionic liquids to the support surface whereas the second simply deposits the ionic liquid phases containing catalytically active species on the surface of the support. Herein recent advances made in this area are described.     

Two-dimensional MOF Cu-BDC nanosheets/ILs@silica core-shell composites as mixed-mode stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography

Here, silica microspheres were decorated with two-dimensional metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) nanosheets and ionic liquids, and evaluated as the mixed-mode stationary phase for chromatographic separation. The ionic liquids were used to assist the synthesis of 2D MOFs nanosheets, and also acted as adhesives among the nanosheets and silica. In contrast with the 2D MOFs-based column without ionic liquids and commercial columns, the prepared column exhibited enhanced chromatographic separation performance for partially hydrophilic compounds such as alkaloids, sulfonamides and antibiotics, etc. In addition to excellent chromatographic repeatability and stability, it has also been verified that the composites could be easily and repeatedly prepared. The relative standard deviation of the retention time of the same type of analyte between the three batches of materials was ranging from 0.21% to 1.7%. In short, these results indicated that the synthesized composites were promising separation material for liquid chromatography, which made it possible to broaden the application of 2D MOFs in the field of chromatography.     

Ionic liquid-modified materials for solid-phase extraction and separation: A review

In recent years, materials science has propelled to the research forefront. Ionic liquids with unique and fascinating properties have also left their footprints to the developments of materials science during the last years. In this review we highlight some of their recent advances and provide an overview at the current status of ionic liquid-modified materials applied in solid-phase extraction, liquid and gas chromatography and capillary electrochromatography with reference to recent applications. In addition, the potential of ionic liquids in the modification of capillary inner wall in capillary electrophoresis is demonstrated. The main target material modified with ionic liquids is silica, but polymers and monoliths have recently joined the studies. Although imidazolium is still clearly the most commonly used ionic liquid for the covalently modification of materials, the exploitation of pyridinium and phosphonium will most probably increase in the future.     

A novel polymer gel electrolyte: Direct polymerization of ionic liquid from surface of silica nanoparticles

A novel polymer electrolyte is synthesized by directly grafting poly ionic liquids onto silica nanoparticles. The kinetic study of this surface‐initiated polymerization has also been included. A gel‐state electrolyte is formed by mixing this type of polymer/silica nanocomposite with ionic liquids under 60 °C, which exhibits an excellent conductivity of 0.8 mS/cm at room temperature and 14.7 mS/cm at 90 °C. In addition, the mechanism of gel formation has also been discussed in this article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 121–127     

Ionothermal Synthesis of Germanosilicate Zeolites Constructed with Double‐Four‐Ring Structure‐Building Units in the Presence of Organic Base

The crystallization chemistry of silica‐based zeolites in ionic liquids remains highly puzzling and interesting in the field of zeolite science. Herein, we report the successful ionothermal synthesis of germanosilicate zeolites. The ionothermal templating effect with respect to the structure, alkalinity and concentration of organic additives was comparatively studied. The results showed that a small amount of organic base could effectively aid the dissolution of silica source and facilitate the crystallization of germanosilicate zeolites with ionic liquid as template. Remarkably, STW and IRR structures constructed with double‐four‐ring (D4R) structure‐building units were ionothermally prepared using 1‐ethyl/butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium and 1‐benzyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium ionic liquids as template, respectively. Ionothermal synthesis tailored with organic base showed suitable chemistry for the formation of germanium‐containing siliceous D4R units. This finding will be helpful for the rational exploration of novel extra‐large‐pore zeolitic structures.