Physical and electrochemical properties of low-viscosity phosphonium ionic liquids as potential electrolytes

A new group of room temperature ionic liquids based on triethylalkylphosphonium cations together with a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion as a novel electrolyte is presented in this report. It was found that phosphonium ionic liquids showed lower viscosities and higher conductivities than those of the corresponding ammonium ionic liquids. Particularly, phosphonium ionic liquids containing a methoxy group, triethyl(methoxymethyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and triethyl(2-methoxyethyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, exhibited quite low viscosities (35 and 44 mPa s at 25 °C, respectively). Linear sweep voltammetry measured in neat phosphonium ionic liquids at a glassy carbon electrode indicated wide potential windows (at least −3.0 to +2.3 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺). Thermogravimetric analysis suggested that phosphonium ionic liquids were thermally stable up to nearly 400 °C, showing slower gravimetric decreases at high temperature compared to those of the corresponding ammonium ionic liquids.     

Hydrogen gas yields in irradiated room-temperature ionic liquids

Yields of H₂ produced by electron beam irradiation were investigated in a series of room-temperature ionic liquids comprising 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-hexyl-4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium, triethylammonium or trioctyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium cations associated with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion. The G(H₂) values ranged from 2.6×10⁻⁸ mol/J for the imidazolium and pyridinium-based ionic liquids to 2.5×10⁻⁷ mol/J for the phosphonium liquid. These results correlate well with yields of gaseous hydrogen in studies of nonionic aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds.     

Densities and refractive indices of imidazolium- and phosphonium-based ionic liquids: Effect of temperature,alkyl chain length,and anion

A systematic study of densities and refractive indices of 17 room temperature ionic liquids is presented at four different temperatures ranging from 293 K to 333 K. The ionic liquids are grouped into four families: 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, [C_nmim][Ntf₂], ionic liquids (with n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14); 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [C_nmim][PF₆], ionic liquids (with n = 4, 6, 8); ionic liquids based on the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium cation, [P_{6 6 6 14}], combined with the anions bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, [Ntf₂], acetate, [OAc], and triflate, [OTf]; and [C₄mim]-based ionic liquids combined with the anions [OAc], [OTf], methylsulfate [MeSO₄], and tetrafluoroborate [BF₄]. The data obtained were analysed to determine the effect of (i) temperature, (ii) the alkyl chain length of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation, and (iii) the nature of the anion. Different empirical models for the calculation of the densities of the ionic liquids were tested. Molar refractions were also calculated from the volumetric and refractive index data and the values were discussed with the aim of checking their utility in obtaining insights on the intermolecular forces and behaviour in solution of the different ionic liquids.     

Prediction of thermophysical properties of novel ionic liquids based on serine [Cnmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) using semiempirical methods

Two novel ionic liquids based on serine [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) were prepared by the neutralization method and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The density, surface tension, and refractive index of the two ILs were measured from T = (298.15 to 338.15) K. Since these ILs [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) could form strong hydrogen bonds with water, small amount of water in the ILs is difficult to removed by common methods. In order to eliminate the effect of trace of water, the standard addition method (SAM) was applied to these measurements. On the basis of the experimental data, the speed of sound (μ), thermal expansion coefficient (α), molecular volume (V_m), standard entropy (S⁰298), entropy of surface (S_a), energy of surface (E_a), parachor (P), molar polarization (R_m), and polarization coefficient (α_p) were calculated, and the relationship between each of these properties of [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) and temperatures was discussed. According to the additivity, the average value of anionic parachor, P_−(ave), was 180.81 for [Ser]⁻. At the same time, the surface tension of these serine ionic liquids could be estimated from their parachor and refractive index. The estimated values of the surface tension and the corresponding experimental data were almost identical.     

Solubilities of imidazolium-based ionic liquids in aqueous salt solutions at 298.15 K

The solubilities of ionic liquids in the ternary systems (ionic liquid + H₂O + inorganic salt) were reported at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The examined ionic liquids are [C₄mim][PF₆] (1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate), [C₈mim][PF₆] (1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate), and [C₈mim][BF₄] (1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate). The examined inorganic salts are the chloride-based salts (sodium chloride, lithium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride) and the sodium-based salts (sodium thiocyanate, sodium nitrate, sodium trifluoroacetate, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium perchlorate, sodium acetate, sodium hydroxide, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium tetrafluoroborate, sodium sulfate, and sodium carbonate). The effects of the cations and the anions of the ionic liquids and of the inorganic salts on the solubility of the ionic liquids in the ternary solutions were systematically compared and discussed.     

Pressure–volume–temperature measurements of phosphonium-based ionic liquids and analysis with simple equations of state

In spite of the great importance of the (P, V, T) data of phosphonium–based ionic liquids, only limited information on these data seems to be available in the open literature. In this work, we present the results for the density measurements of the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride, [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium dicyanamide, [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][N(CN₂)] with an estimated uncertainty of ±0.5 kg · m^?3. The ranges of temperature and pressure are T = (273.15 to 318.15) K and p = (0.1 to 25) MPa for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] and T = (273.15 to 318.15) K and p = (0.1 to 35) MPa for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][N(CN₂)]. The high consistency of our data for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] compared with those measured by other authors allowed all the experimental data for this IL to be combined and correlated using the Goharshadi–Morsali–Abbaspour equation of state over a wide range of temperature and pressure. From this equation, thermomechanical coefficients as the isothermal compressibility, thermal expansivity, thermal pressure, and internal pressure were calculated for the two ILs. The Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state was used also for (P, V, T) correlation and the estimation of the free volume in these phosphonium ionic liquids. Finally ionic volumes for trihexyltetradecylphosphonium cation and several anions available in the literature made possible the calculation of the free (hole) volume.     

Thermophysical properties of hydroxyl ammonium ionic liquids

The thermophysical properties of hydroxyl ammonium ionic liquids: density ρ, T = (293.15 to 363.15) K; dynamic viscosity η, T = (298.2 to 348.2) K; and refractive indices n_D, T = (293.15 to 333.15) K have been measured. The coefficients of thermal expansion α, values were calculated from the experimental density results using an empirical correlation for T = (293.15 to 363.15) K. The variation of volume expansion of ionic liquids studied was found to be independent of temperature within the range covered in the present work. The thermal decomposition temperature ‘T_d’ for all the six hydroxyl ammonium ionic liquids is also investigated using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria in the binary systems (aliphatic,or aromatic hydrocarbons + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate,or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ionic liquids)

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of 14 binary systems composed of n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, or p-xylene and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [emim]EtSO₄, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [bmim]MeSO₄, ionic liquids have been done in the temperature range from (293.2 to 333.2) K. The solubility of aliphatic is less than those of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, the solubility of hydrocarbons in both ionic liquids increases with the temperature in the order n-heptane < n-hexane < m-xylene < p-xylene < o-xylene < toluene < benzene. Considering the high solubility of aromatics and the low solubility of aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as totally immiscibility of the ionic liquids in all hydrocarbons, these new green solvents may be used as potentials extracting solvents for the separation of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

Physical properties of ionic liquids based on 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and hexafluorophosphate as anion and temperature dependence

Densities ρ, speeds of sound u, and refractive indices n_D were measured from T = (278.15 to 343.15) K. Dynamic viscosities η were measured from T = (293.15 to 323.15) K. Surface tensions σ were determined from T = (288.15 to 313.15) K. The physical properties data were measured at atmospheric pressure. The coefficients of thermal expansion α_p of the ionic liquids were calculated from the experimental values of the density at several temperatures. The Parachor method was used to predict the densities, the refractive indices, and the surface tensions of the ionic liquids, and a comparison between experimental and predictive values was made at T = 298.15 K.     

Temperature dependence of the surface tension and 0.1 MPa density for 1-Cn-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate with n = 2, 4, and 6

Experimental air–liquid interfacial tension data and density data are presented for three 1-C_n-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphates (FAP), [C_nMIM][(C₂F₅)₃PF₃], with n = 2, 4, and 6, measured at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range from 267 K to 360 K using the Krűss K100MK2 tensiometer. The accuracy of the surface tension measurements was checked by employing the Wilhelmy plate and the du Noüy ring methods in parallel. The combined standard uncertainty associated with the Wilhelmy plate method is estimated to be ±0.1 mN · m⁻¹. The density data were obtained using buoyancy method with an estimated standard uncertainty less then ±0.4 kg · m⁻³ (3 · 10⁻⁴ϱ). The chloride anions decrease the density of the tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphates of interest up to six times more effectively than they decrease the density of the imidazolium based tetrafluoroborates. A QSPR analysis of the surface tension of imidazolium based ionic liquids with BF₄, TFA, DCA, FAP, NTf₂, and PF₆ anions indicates, that the FAP ionic liquids fit well into the analyzed group of imidazolium based ionic liquids while those having hexafluorophosphate anion show anomalously high deviations of the experimental surface tension from the values predicted by the QSPR model.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria for (acetate-based ionic liquids + inorganic salts) aqueous two-phase systems

In the present work, (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data have been determined experimentally for aqueous two-phase systems formed by the imidazolium ionic liquids of [C_nmim][CH₃COO] (n = 4, 6, 8) and inorganic salts of K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, and K₂CO₃ at T = 298.15 K. Combined with available data in the literature, the effect of alkyl chain length of cations, type of anions of the ionic liquids, and nature of the inorganic salts were examined on the binodal curves of the systems. Then the binodal curves were fitted to a four-parameter empirical equation, and the tie-lines were described by the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft equations. In addition, the extraction capacity of the {[C_nmim][CH₃COO] (n = 4, 6, 8) + K₃PO₄} aqueous two-phase systems was evaluated through their application to the extraction of l-tryptophan. The high extraction efficiency suggests that these aqueous two-phase systems are feasible to be used in the extraction and separation process.     

Relative hydrophobicity of equilibrium phases in biphasic systems (ionic liquid + water)

Partition coefficients for a series of dinitrophenylated (DNP) amino acids in biphasic systems composed of hydrophobic ionic liquids and water were experimentally determined. The ionic liquids used were three 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates, [C_nmim][BF₄], with alkyl chain substituents hexyl, octyl, and decyl. The liquid–liquid phase diagram for the system ([C₁₀mim][BF₄] + water) was experimentally determined. DNP amino acids distribute preferentially to the IL-rich phase and ([C₁₀mim][BF₄] + water) was found to be the system with the lowest partition coefficients for the solutes studied. The experimental partition coefficients decrease as the size of the alkyl side chain in the ionic liquids increases. The free energy of transfer of a methylene group between phases was calculated through the partition coefficients, which provides a measure of the relative hydrophobicity of the equilibrium phases. It was found that the system ([C₁₀mim][BF₄] + water) presents a lower free energy (and thus a lower relative hydrophobicity) than the system ([C₈mim][BF₄] + water). In order to better understand this result, the micellar behavior of the three ionic liquids was studied. Electrical conductivities of several aqueous solutions of the ionic liquids were measured to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the degree of micelle ionization, α, of the three ionic liquids. From these two properties it was possible to obtain the free energy of micellization, ΔG_mic, for the ionic liquids.     

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution of organic solutes in the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate using gas–liquid chromatography at T = (313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution were determined for 24 solutes: n-alkanes, alk-1-enes, alk-1-ynes, cycloalkanes, alkylbenzenes and alcohols in the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [OMIM][PF₆], by gas–liquid chromatography at three different temperatures T = (313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K. The partial molar excess enthalpy values at infinite dilution were calculated from the experimental data over the same temperature range. Capacities and selectivities at infinite dilution for the systems hexane/benzene and methanol/benzene were determined from the experimental data and compared to the literature values for other ionic liquids, as well as for industrial molecular solvents. The influence of the cation and anion of the ionic liquid on the activity coefficient is discussed, as well as the usefulness of [OMIM][PF₆] in separating organic liquids.     

Thermophysical properties of 1-alkylpyridinum bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids

The thermophysical properties of 1-alkylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [C_npy][Tf₂N] ionic liquids where n = 4, 8, 10, or 12 have been determined. Density ρ, and dynamic viscosity η, were determined at T = (293.15 to 353.15) K and refractive index n_D, was measured at T = (293.15 to 333.15) K. Empirical correlations are proposed to represent the present experimental results. The values of the coefficient of thermal expansion were calculated from the experimental density values. The thermal decomposition temperature, T_d was also determined using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at a heating rate of (10 and 20) K · min^?1.     

Evaluation of the impact of phosphate salts on the formation of ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems

The present study aims at evaluating the capability of phosphate-based salts, whose anions can coexist in water depending on the media pH, to promote aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) formation with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids, as well as to infer on the influence of the ionic liquid anion in the overall process of liquid–liquid demixing. In this context, novel phase diagrams of ABS composed of several imidazolium-based ionic liquids and three phosphate salts and a mixture of salts (K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄, and KH₂PO₄) were determined by the cloud point titration method at 298 K and atmospheric pressure. The corresponding tie-line compositions, tie-line lengths, and pH values of the coexisting phases were also determined. The ionic liquids ability to promote ABS is related with the hydrogen-bond basicity of the composing anion – the lower it is the higher the ability of the ionic fluid to undergo liquid–liquid demixing. Moreover, similar patterns on the ionic liquids sequence were observed with the different phosphate salts. The phosphate anion charge plays a determinant role in the formation of ABS. The two-phase formation aptitude (with a similar ionic liquid) decreases in the rank: K₃PO₄ > K₂HPO₄ > K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ > KH₂PO₄. Yet, besides the charge of the phosphate anion, the pH and ionic strength of the aqueous media also influence the phase separation ability.     

Low-viscosity and low-melting point asymmetric trialkylsulfonium based ionic liquids as potential electrolytes

Nine new ionic liquids based on small asymmetric trialkylsulfonium cations with TFSI⁻ anion were prepared and characterized. Physical and electrochemical properties of these ionic liquids, including melting point, thermal stability, viscosity, conductivity and electrochemical window were determined. Reducing symmetry of cations reduces the melting points of these ILs. Some of these hydrophobic ionic liquids showed low-viscosity and low-melting point characteristics. The viscosities of S₂₂₃TFSI, S₂₂₁TFSI and S₁₂₃TFSI were 33, 36 and 39 mPa s at 25 °C, respectively. Electrochemical and thermal stabilities of these ILs permitted them to become promising electrolytes used in electrochemical devices.     

Surface tension measurements with validated accuracy for four 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids

Air–liquid interfacial surface tension measurements are reported on four 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C_n-mim], n = 2, 4, 6) based ionic liquids at 15 temperatures from (283 to 353) K at atmospheric pressure. To validate the accuracy of the results, the Wilhelmy plate method and the du Noüy ring method were employed in parallel, using the Kr?ss K100MK2 tensiometer. At each temperature from 29 to 44 individual readings were taken. The surface tension average values at particular temperatures are presented with the estimated overall standard uncertainty ranging from (±0.025 to ±0.1) mN · m^?1. An empirical surface tension–temperature equation has been developed describing the temperature dependence of each ionic liquid surface tension. Some details of the measurement procedure that have been found to be important in achieving the highest possible accuracy are discussed.     

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution of organic solutes in the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate using gas–liquid chromatography at T = (313.15, 333.15, 353.15, and 373.15) K

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution have been measured by gas–liquid chromatography for 27 organic solutes (n-alkanes, 1-alkenes, 1-alkynes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, alcohols, and ketones) in the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate [3C₆C₁₄P][BF₄]. The measurements were carried out at four different temperatures viz. T = (313.15, 333.15, 353.15, and 373.15) K. From the experimental data, partial molar excess enthalpy values at infinite dilution were calculated for the experimental temperature range. The selectivity values for the separation of n-hexane/benzene, cyclohexane/benzene, and methanol/benzene mixtures were determined from the experimental infinite dilution activity coefficient values. These values were compared to those available in the literature for other ionic liquids and commercial solvents, so as to assess the feasibility of employing [3C₆C₁₄P][BF₄] in solvent-enhanced industrial separations.     

Phase equilibria study of the (N-octylisoquinolinium thiocyanate ionic liquid + aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon,or thiophene) binary systems

Binary liquid + liquid phase equilibria for 8 systems containing N-octylisoquinolinium thiocyanate, [C₈iQuin][SCN] and aliphatic hydrocarbon (n-hexane, n-heptane), cyclohexane, aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene) and thiophene have been determined using dynamic method. The experiment was carried out from room temperature to the boiling-point of the solvent at atmospheric pressure. For the tested binary systems the mutual immiscibility with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for {IL + aliphatic hydrocarbon, or thiophene} were observed. The immiscibility gap with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for the {IL + aromatic hydrocarbon} were determined. The parameters of the LLE correlation equation for the tested binary systems have been derived using NRTL equation. The phase equilibria diagrams presented in this paper are compared with literature data for the corresponding ionic liquids with N-alkylisoquinolinium, or N-alkylquinolinium cation and with thiocyanate – based ionic liquids. The influence of the ionic liquid structure on mutual solubility with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and thiophene is discussed.     

Densities and viscosities for ionic liquids mixtures containing [eOHmim][BF4], [bmim][BF4] and [bpy][BF4]

Densities and viscosities of binary ionic liquids mixtures, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([eOHmim][BF₄]) + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([eOHmim][BF₄]) + N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bpy][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]) + N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bpy][BF₄]) were measured over the entire mole fraction from T = (298.15 to 343.15) K. The excess molar volumes were calculated and correlated by Redlich–Kiser polynomial expansions. The viscosities for pure ionic liquids were analyzed by means of the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher equation and ideal mixing rules were applied for the ILs mixtures.