Electronic Structure Insights into the Solvation of Magnesium Ions with Cyclic and Acyclic Carbonates

A computational framework to rank the solvation behavior of Mg²⁺ in carbonates by using molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory is reported. Based on the binding energies and enthalpies of solvation calculated at the M06‐2X/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory and the free energies of solvation from ABF‐MD simulations, we find that ethylene carbonate (EC) and the ethylene carbonate:propylene carbonate (EC:PC) binary mixture are the best carbonate solvents for interacting with Mg²⁺. Natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses support the thermochemistry calculations with the highest values of charge transfer, perturbative stabilization energies, electron densities, and Wiberg bond indices being observed in the Mg²⁺(EC) and Mg²⁺(EC:PC) complexes. The plots of the noncovalent interactions indicate that those responsible for the formation of Mg²⁺ carbonate complexes are strong‐to‐weak attractive interactions, depending on the regions that are interacting. Finally, density of state calculations indicate that the interactions between Mg²⁺ and the carbonate solvents affects the HOMO and LUMO states of all carbonate solvents and moves them to more negative energy values.     

Evaluating the Free Energies of Solvation and Electronic Structures of Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrolytes

Adaptive biasing force molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations were performed to understand the interaction of Li⁺ with pure carbonates and ethylene carbonate (EC)‐based binary mixtures. The most favorable Li carbonate cluster configurations obtained from molecular dynamics simulations were subjected to detailed structural and thermochemistry calculations on the basis of the M06‐2X/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory. We report the ranking of these electrolytes on the basis of the free energies of Li‐ion solvation in carbonates and EC‐based mixtures. A strong local tetrahedral order involving four carbonates around the Li⁺ was seen in the first solvation shell. Thermochemistry calculations revealed that the enthalpy of solvation and the Gibbs free energy of solvation of the Li⁺ ion with carbonates are negative and suggested the ion–carbonate complexation process to be exothermic and spontaneous. Natural bond orbital analysis indicated that Li⁺ interacts with the lone pairs of electrons on the carbonyl oxygen atom in the primary solvation sphere. These interactions lead to an increase in the carbonyl (C=O) bond lengths, as evidenced by a redshift in the vibrational frequencies [ν(C=O)] and a decrease in the electron density values at the C=O bond critical points in the primary solvation sphere. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules, localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis (LMO‐EDA), and noncovalent interaction plots revealed the electrostatic nature of the Li⁺ ion interactions with the carbonyl oxygen atoms in these complexes. On the basis of LMO‐EDA, the strongest attractive interaction in these complexes was found to be the electrostatic interaction followed by polarization, dispersion, and exchange interactions. Overall, our calculations predicted EC and a binary mixture of EC/dimethyl carbonate to be appropriate electrolytes for Li‐ion batteries, which complies with experiments and other theoretical results.     

Dual-Metal Electrolytes for Hybrid-Ion Batteries: Synergism or Antagonism?

The construction of hybrid metal-ion batteries faces a plethora of challenges. A critical one is to unveil the solvation/desolvation processes at the molecular level in electrolytes that ensure efficient transfer of several types of charge carriers. This study reports first results on simulations of mixed-ion electrolytes. All combinations of homo- and hetero-binuclear complexes of Li⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺, solvated with varying number of ethylene carbonate (EC) molecules are modeled in non-polar and polar environment by means of first principles calculations and compared to the mononuclear analogues in terms of stability, spatial organization, charge distribution and solvation/desolvation behavior. The used PF₆⁻ counterion is shown to have minor impact on the geometry of the complexes. The desolvation energy penalty of binuclear complexes can be lowered by the fluoride ions, emerging upon the PF₆⁻ decay. These model investigations could be extended to rationalize the solvation structure and ionic mobility in dual-ion electrolytes.     

Abraham model enthalpy of solvation correlations for solutes dissolved in dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate

Experimental data have been compiled from the published chemical and engineering literature on the enthalpies of solvation for 80 different inorganic gases and organic vapours in diethyl carbonate and for 57 different gaseous compounds in dimethyl carbonate. The compiled data are used to derive mathematical correlations based on the Abraham solvation parameter model. The derived expressions describe the experimental solvation enthalpies in diethyl carbonate and dimethyl carbonate to within standard deviations of 2.1 and 2.7 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

A density functional theory investigation on the mechanism and kinetics of dimethyl carbonate formation on Cu2O catalyst

A theoretical analysis about the mechanism and kinetics of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) formation via oxidative carbonylation of methanol on Cu₂O catalyst is explored using periodic density functional calculations, both in gas phase and in solvent. The effect of solvent is taken into account using the conductor‐like screening model. The calculated results show that CO insertion to methoxide species to produce monomethyl carbonate species is the rate‐determining step, the corresponding activation barrier is 161.9 kJ mol^?1. Then, monomethyl carbonate species reacts with additional methoxide to form DMC with an activation barrier of 98.8 kJ mol^?1, above reaction pathway mainly contributes to the formation of DMC. CO insertion to dimethoxide species to form DMC is also considered and analyzed, the corresponding activation barrier is 308.5 kJ mol^?1, suggesting that CO insertion to dimethoxide species is not competitive in dynamics in comparison with CO insertion to methoxide species. The solvent effects on CO insertion to methoxide species involving the activation barriers suggest that the rate‐determining step can be significantly affected by the solvent, 70.2 kJ mol^?1 in methanol and 63.9 kJ mol^?1 in water, which means that solvent effect can reduce the activation barrier of CO insertion to methoxide species and make the reaction of CO insertion to methoxide in solvents much easier than that in gas phase. Above calculated results can provide good theoretical guidance for the mechanism and kinetics of DMC formation and suggest that solvent effect can well improve the performance of DMC formation on Cu₂O catalyst in a liquid‐phase slurry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Non-concentrated aqueous electrolytes with organic solvent additives for stable zinc batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (RAZBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage because of their superiority in addressing cost and safety concerns. However, their practical realization is hampered by issues including dendrite growth, poor reversibility and low coulombic efficiency (CE) of Zn anodes due to parasitic reactions. Here, we report a non-concentrated aqueous electrolyte composed of 2 m zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (Zn(OTf)₂) and the organic dimethyl carbonate (DMC) additive to stabilize the Zn electrochemistry. Unlike the case in conventional aqueous electrolytes featuring typical Zn[H₂O]₆²⁺ solvation, a solvation sheath of Zn²⁺ with the co-participation of the DMC solvent and OTf⁻ anion is found in the formulated H₂O + DMC electrolyte, which contributes to the formation of a robust ZnF₂ and ZnCO₃-rich interphase on Zn. The resultant Zn anode exhibits a high average CE of Zn plating/stripping (99.8% at an areal capacity of 2.5 mA h cm⁻²) and dendrite-free cycling over 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the H₂O + DMC electrolytes sustain stable operation of RAZBs pairing Zn anodes with diverse cathode materials such as vanadium pentoxide, manganese dioxide, and zinc hexacyanoferrate. Rational electrolyte design with organic solvent additives would promote building better aqueous batteries.

Involvement of dimethyl carbonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate anions in a hybrid aqueous electrolyte enables the formation of a new Zn²⁺-solvation structure and a ZnF₂–ZnCO₃-rich interphase that stabilizes the Zn battery chemistry.     

A DFT study of DMC formation on Rh‐doped Cu/AC surfaces

The activity and selectivity of heterogeneous catalysts can be significantly improved by dispersion of another active component in the metal substrate. The impact of Rh promoter on the formation of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) via oxidative carbonylation of methanol on Cu–Rh/AC (activated carbon) catalyst was investigated by density functional theory calculations. The most stable configurations of reacting species (CO, OH, CH₃O, monomethyl carbonate, and DMC) adsorbed on the Cu⁰(zero‐valent copper)/AC and Cu–Rh/AC surfaces were determined on the basis of the calculated results. The reaction energy and activation energy of the rate‐limiting steps on the Cu–Rh/AC and Cu⁰/AC surfaces were compared. The activation energies of the rate‐limiting step of CO insertion into dimethoxide are 206.3 and 304.8 kJ mol^?1 on the Cu–Rh/AC and Cu⁰/AC surfaces, respectively. The activation energies of the rate‐limiting step of CO insertion into methoxide are 78.5 and 92.7 kJ/mol on the Cu–Rh/AC and Cu⁰/AC surfaces, respectively. The calculated results indicate that the addition of Rh atom has a significant effect on decreasing the active energy the main pathway for DMC formation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (dmc) from co2, ethylene oxide and methanol using heterogeneous anion exchange resins as catalysts

Summary A two-step synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from ethylene oxide (EO), carbon dioxide and methanol using heterogeneous anion exchange resins as catalysts is reported. The first step is the reaction of EO with CO₂ to form ethylene carbonate (EC), and the second one the transesterification of EC with methanol to yield DMC. Effect of various reaction parameters on the activity and selectivity of the catalysts used was investigated. After the first step, the crude mixture containing EC was directly reacted with methanol in the presence of a heterogeneous anion exchange resin catalyst to produce DMC in high yield and selectivity. Our process is highly economic.     

The effects of substituting groups in cyclic carbonates for stable SEI formation on graphite anode of lithium batteries

Monofluoropropylene carbonate (MFPC) and trifluoropropylene carbonate (TFPC) with a monofluoromethyl (or trifluoromethyl) replacing the methyl group in propylene carbonate (PC) as well as EC-CH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₂OSi(CH₃)₃ (Si-A) and EC-CH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃ (Si-B) have been synthesized. The charge–discharge studies in a Li/MCMB (mesocarbon microbeads) cell using electrolyte containing these compounds show that the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation capability of MFPC/DMC (dimethyl carbonate) and TFPC/DMC are about the same as ethylene carbonate (EC)/DMC, and TFPC/PC/DMC is better than that of EC/PC/DMC, while MFPC/PC/DMC is poorer than the EC/PC/DMC. The superior SEI formation capability of TFPC could be attributed to the strong electron withdrawing group of CF₃, which promote the “ring-opening” reaction. In contrast, the electron donating group CH₃ in the PC structure may demote the “ring opening” and cause the poor SEI formation. The results of MFPC with weaker electron withdrawing group give further support of this hypothesis. The bi-solvent electrolytes of Si-A/DMC and Si-B/DMC have comparable SEI formation capability as EC/DMC and TFPC/DMC, regardless of their bulky chains. This indicates that if proper chain structures are used, good SEI formation capability could be obtained for cyclic carbonate with bulky chains. These new solvents provide valuable information in studying the SEI formation mechanism and designing new electrolytes.     

Chemical Solutions in a Quantum Solvent: Anionic Electrolytes in 4He Nanodroplets

Variational and diffusion Monte Carlo (VMC and DMC) calculations are presented for anionic electrolytes solvated in ⁴He. The electrolytes have the general structure X^?(He)_N, with X=F, Cl, Br and I, and N varying up to 40 (41 for I^?). The overall interaction potential is obtained from accurate ab initio data for the two‐body components and then using the sum‐of‐potentials approximation. Our computational scheme is a robust procedure, giving us accurate trial wavefunctions that can be used to perform high‐quality DMC calculations. The results indicate very marked delocalization and permanence of the liquid‐like quantum features of the solvent adatoms surrounding the anionic impurities. This finding stands in contrast to the more structured, solid‐like behavior of the quantum solutions with alkali metal cations embedded in He nanodroplets. While other negatively charged species such as H^? have shown an overall repulsive interaction with He, the present calculations clearly indicate that the halogen anions remain solvated within liquid‐like solvent “bubbles” of species‐dependent size.     

Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Regulating the Solvation of Lithium Ions in Nonaqueous Electrolytes

Safe and rechargeable lithium metal batteries have been difficult to achieve because of the formation of lithium dendrites. Herein an emerging electrolyte based on a simple solvation strategy is proposed for highly stable lithium metal anodes in both coin and pouch cells. Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) were concurrently introduced into an electrolyte, thus altering the solvation sheath of lithium ions, and forming a uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), with an abundance of LiF and LiN_xO_y on a working lithium metal anode with dendrite‐free lithium deposition. Ultrahigh Coulombic efficiency (99.96 %) and long lifespans (1000 cycles) were achieved when the FEC/LiNO₃ electrolyte was applied in working batteries. The solvation chemistry of electrolyte was further explored by molecular dynamics simulations and first‐principles calculations. This work provides insight into understanding the critical role of the solvation of lithium ions in forming the SEI and delivering an effective route to optimize electrolytes for safe lithium metal batteries.     

Infrared study of UV-irradiated tungsten trioxide powders containing adsorbed dimethyl methyl phosphonate and trimethyl phosphate

The photodecomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and trimethyl phosphate (TMP) adsorbed on monoclinic WO₃ powders when irradiated by ultraviolet light (UV) in air, oxygen, and under evacuation was investigated using infrared spectroscopy (IR). The IR spectra show that DMMP decomposes into methyl phosphonate upon exposure to 254 nm UV for 2 h at room temperature in air. The same decomposition of DMMP occurs only at temperatures above 300°C without UV illumination. TMP differs from DMMP in that the photodecomposition product is not the same as the decomposition product obtained by heating above 300°C. Thermal decomposition leads to formation of a phosphate on the surface, whereas photodecomposition leads to the same adsorbed methyl phosphonate as found for the thermal or photodecomposition of DMMP. Since TMP does not contain a P-CH₃ bond, the formation of a methyl phosphonate on the surface after UV illumination involves a mechanism where CH₃ groups migrate from the methoxy group to the phosphorous central atom. No decomposition is observed at room temperature when DMMP or TMP adsorbed on WO₃ is irradiated under vacuum or in nitrogen atmosphere. Therefore, the photodecomposition of either DMMP or TMP adsorbed on WO₃ at room temperature does not involve a reaction with the lattice oxygen but rather a reaction with the oxygen radicals produced by the decomposition of ozone.     

Physical and electrolytic properties of difluorinated dimethyl carbonate

The physical and electrolytic properties of difluorinated dimethyl carbonate (DFDMC) synthesized using F₂ gas (direct fluorination) were examined. The dielectric constant and viscosity of DFDMC are higher than those of monofluorinated dimethyl carbonate (MFDMC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The oxidative decomposition voltage of DFDMC is higher than those of DMC and MFDMC. The specific conductivity in DFDMC solution is considerably lower than those in MFDMC and DMC solutions. The ethylene carbonate (EC)-DFDMC equimolar binary solution containing 1 mol dm⁻³ LiPF₆ shows a moderate conductivity of 6.91 mS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C. The lithium electrode cycling efficiency (charge-discharge coulombic cycling efficiency of lithium electrode) in EC-DFDMC equimolar binary solution containing 1 mol dm⁻³ LiPF₆ is higher than 80%. The EC-DFDMC solution is a good electrolyte for rechargeable lithium batteries.     

Metathetical Reactions in the System Na(K)PF6 – LiBF4 – Aprotic Media

¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, elemental analysis, and ab initio quantum chemical calculations were used to study metathetical reactions between potassium or sodium hexafluorophosphate and lithium tetrafluoroborate in a mixture of propylene carbonate (PC) – dimethyl carbonate (DMC). It was shown that the increase in size of the cations in the second coordination sphere from Na⁺ to K⁺ results in an increase of the equilibrium conversion. This is in agreement with the influence of the cation size on the solubility of tetrafluoroborates in the media investigated.     

Large-Sized Ammonia Clusters and Solvation Energies of the Proton in Ammonia

The absolute solvation energies (free energies and enthalpies) of the proton in ammonia are used to compute the pK_a of species embedded in ammonia. They are also used to compute the solvation energies of other ions in ammonia. Despite their importance, it is not possible to determine experimentally the solvation energies of the proton in a given solvent. We propose in this work a direct approach to compute the solvation energies of the proton in ammonia from large-sized neutral and protonated ammonia clusters. To undertake this investigation, we performed a geometry optimization of neutral and protonated ammonia 30-mer, 40-mer, and 50 mer to locate stable structures. These structures have been fully optimized at both APFD/6-31++g(d,p) and M06-2X/6-31++g(d,p) levels of theory. An infrared spectroscopic study of these structures has been provided to assess the reliability of our investigation. Using these structures, we have computed the absolute solvation free energy and the absolute solvation enthalpy of the proton in ammonia. It comes out that the absolute solvation free energy of the proton in ammonia is calculated to be −1192 kJ mol^–1, whereas the absolute solvation enthalpy is evaluated to be −1214 kJ mol^–1. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Anion Solvation Reconfiguration Enables High-Voltage Carbonate Electrolytes for Stable Zn/Graphite Cells

Conventional carbonate solvents with low HOMO levels are theoretically compatible with the low-cost, high-voltage chemistry of Zn/graphite batteries. However, the nucleophilic attack of the anion on carbonates induces an oxidative breakdown at high potentials. Here, we restore the inherent anodic stability of carbonate electrolytes by designing a micro-heterogeneous anion solvation network. Based on the addition of a strongly electron-donating solvent, trimethyl phosphate (TMP), the oxidation-vulnerable anion-carbonate affinities are decoupled because of the preferential sequestration of anions into solvating TMP domains around the metal cations. The hybridized electrolytes elevate the electrochemical window of carbonate electrolytes by 0.45 V and enable the operation of Zn/graphite dual-ion cells at 2.80 V with a long cycle life (92 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles). By inheriting the non-flammability from TMP and the high ion-transport kinetics from the carbonate systems, this facile strategy provides cells with the additional benefits of fire retardancy and high-power capability.     

Cobalt Element Effect of Ternary Mesoporous Cerium Lanthanum Solid Solution for the Catalytic Conversion of Methanol and CO2 into Dimethyl Carbonate

A citric acid ligand assisted self-assembly method is used for the synthesis of ternary mesoporous cerium lanthanum solid solution doped with metal elements (Co, Zr, Mg). Their textural property was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and TPD techniques, and so on. The results of catalytic testing for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CH₃OH and CO₂ indicated that the DMC yield reached 316 mmol/g on Ce-La-Co solid solution when the reaction temperature was 413 K and the reaction pressure was 8.0 MPa. It was found that Co had synergistic effect with La and Ce, doping of Co on the mesoporous Ce-La solid solution was helpful to increase the surface area of the catalyst, promote CO₂ adsorption and activation, and improve the redox performance of solid solution catalyst. The conversion of Co²⁺ to Co³⁺ resulted in the continuous redox cycle between Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺, and the oxygen vacancy content of the catalyst was increased. Studies have shown that the catalytic performance of Ce-La-Co solid solution is positively correlated with oxygen vacancy content. On this basis, the reaction mechanism of DMC synthesis from CO₂ and CH₃OH on the catalyst was speculated.     

Determination of the fragmentation mechanisms of organophosphorus ions by H2O and D2O atmospheric-pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Dimethylmethyl phosphonate (DMMP), dimethyl phosphite (DMPI), trimethyl phosphite (TMPI) and trimethyl phosphate (TMP) were investigated using H₂O and D₂O atmospheric-pressure ionization (API) tandem mass Spectrometry. All daughter ions could be explained by losses of one or a successive number of stable molecules as opposed to losses of radicals such as the hydride, methyl and methoxy species. Losses of neutral methanol and dimethyl ether and of protonated methanol and formaldehyde ions from all four organophosphorus pseudo-molecular ions were observed. The DMMP and DMPI MH⁺ pseudomolecular ions produced the losses of neutral C₂H₆ and water, respectively. Formaldehyde loss was not observed for the MH⁺ ions, but it was well represented in the decomposition pathways of daughter ions. The D₂O reagent gas highlighted the role of the ionizing proton/ deuteron in the various daughter ions, including m/z 95, 79, 65, 49, 33, 31 and 47. The last ion was found to be isobaric in that m/z 47 and 48 both appeared with similar abundances in the D₂O-API daughter ion mass spectra of TMPI and TMP.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable palm palmitic acid based bioplastic

This study involves the quantitative analysis of high free fatty acid crude palm oil, the separation of palmitic acid and synthesis of palm palmitic acid-based bioplastic. Synthesis of dimethyl 2-tetradecylmalonate (DMTDM) using methyl palmitate (MP) with sodium hydride (NaH) in the presence of reactive solvent of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was carried out. The reaction conditions comprise at a mole ratio of MP: DMC: NaH: dimethylformamide (DMF) (0.1:2:0.25:1) at 60 °C for 14 h with 88.3 ± 1.4% yield. FTIR spectra of DMTDM showed the ester carbonyl group at 1740 cm^–1. The polymerization of DMTDM with 1,6-hexandiol or 1,12-dodecandiol was carried out using titanium (IV) isopropoxide Ti(OiPr)₄ as the catalyst and reaction time of 24 h. The results showed that the poly(dodecyl 2-tetradecylmalonte) (PDTDM) exhibited good thermal properties compared to poly(hexyl 2-tetradecylmalonte) (PHTDM). The increase of the chain length of diol in PDTDM improved the thermal properties of polyester with glass transition, T_g of 13 ºC and melting point of 51 ºC with a molecular weight of 12508 Da and polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.4. In general, the synthetic polyesters can be used as internalplasticizer in bio-based industry.     

Determination of Small Dialkyl Organophosphonates at Microgram/L Concentrations in Contaminated Groundwaters Using Multiple Extraction Membrane Disks

Abstract

Di-isopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), which are manufacturing by-products of. and surrogate compounds for, the nerve agents Sarin (GB) and VX, respectively, are readily quantitated at microgram per liter concentrations in contaminated groundwaters. Aqueous samples (typically 1 L) are first fortified with triethylphosphate (TEP) as a surrogate, then passed through a “sandwiched” set of three preconditioned extraction disks consisting of the following (in filtration order): (a) glass fiber filter, to remove unwanted particulate matter; (b) C₁₈-based extraction disk, to collect DIMP; and (c) carbon-based extraction disk, to collect DMMP. The glass fiber filter is discarded; the two extraction disks are dried and extracted with a small volume of methanol. After the extract is fortified with diethyl ethylphosphonate (DEEP) internal standard, it is analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD). Quantitation of DMMP, DIMP, and TEP is performed using the method of internal standards.

The procedure was used to obtain statistically-unbiased reporting limits for a “regulatory” criterion of 0.39 μg/L and a “pump and treat” criterion of 2 μg/L for both analytes. Two standardized protocols were used to validate a detection limit of 0.20 μg/L for DMMP and 0.48 μg/L for DIMP when the regulatory criterion was used as the “target concentration.” When the “pump and treat” criterion was used as the “target concentration,” the detection limits for both DMMP and DIMP were both 2 μg/L using the same protocols as for the “regulatory” criterion. The method recovery is approximately 40–50%, based on synthetic groundwaters containing between 0.2–50 μg/L of each analyte. DIMP and DMMP are cleanly resolved from each other, the internal standard, the surrogate, and the potential interference trimethylphosphate (TMP).