Effects of alkyl chain length on properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid crystals

A series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate salts (C_xMIm(FH)₂F, x=8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18) have been characterized by thermal analysis, polarized optical microscopy, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and anisotropic ionic conductivity measurements. Liquid crystalline mesophases with a smectic A interdigitated bilayer structure are observed from C₁₀ to C₁₈, showing a fan‐like or focal conic texture. The temperature range of the mesophase increases with the increase in the alkyl chain length (from 10.1 °C for C₁₀MIm(FH)₂F to 123.1 °C for C₁₈MIm(FH)₂F). The distance between the two layers in the smectic structure gradually increases with increasing alkyl chain length and decreases with increasing temperature. Conductivity parallel to the smectic layers is around 10 mS cm^?1 regardless of the alkyl chain length, whereas that perpendicular to the smectic layers decreases with increasing alkyl chain length because of the thicker insulating sheet with the longer alkyl chain.     

Measurement and correlation of solubility of carbon dioxide in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquids

The solubility of carbon dioxide in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was measured at temperatures of 293.15 and 298.15 K and pressure up to 4 MPa using a stoichiometric phase equilibrium apparatus. The measured data for 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate were in good agreement with existing literature data and new solubility data were reported for 1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. The measured data were correlated using the group contribution non-random lattice fluid equation of state (GC-NLF EoS) proposed by Lee and co-workers. The group parameters for CG-NLF EoS were slightly modified at limited range to accommodate recent experimental data and better prediction at high pressure and long alkyl chains.     

Physical and electrochemical properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate for electrolyte

Three kinds of ionic liquids, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (n=2–4), were prepared and fundamental properties of ionic liquids and those mixed with industrially used organic solvents (PC, GBL and AN) were investigated compared to solid salts, TEMABF₄. It was found that degree of ionization of the ionic liquids were almost same as that of TEMABF₄ from the conductivity measurement in diluted system of PC. The ionic liquids and the organic solvents intermingle with each other. Some enhancement in conductivity was observed compared to TEMABF₄.     

Buoyancy density measurements for 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate anion

Density measurements are reported performed on three 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ([C_n-mim], n=2,4,6$n=2\text{,}4\text{,}6$) ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate anion at atmospheric pressure at 15 temperatures from 281 to 353 K. The buoyancy method was employed, using the microbalance of the Krüss K100MK2 tensiometer. At each temperature from 33 to 55 individual buoyancy readings were taken in most cases. The density average values at particular temperatures are presented with estimated total standard uncertainty less than ±0.4$\pm 0.4$ kg m⁻³ (3.3 ×10⁻⁴?$\times 10^{-4}?$). An empirical density–temperature equations have been developed describing the temperature dependence of each ionic liquid density. The 58 new experimental data points on the density–temperature relation of the three ionic liquids of interest are means calculated from about 3000 individual density readings, which have been altogether taken in the present study.     

Effect of alkyl chain length and temperature on the thermodynamic properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions at different temperatures

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Rmim][Br], R = propyl (C₃), hexyl (C₆), heptyl (C₇), and octyl (C₈)) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and experimental measurements of density and speed of sound at different temperatures ranging from (288.15 to 308.15) K for their aqueous and methanolic solutions in the dilute concentration region (0.01 to 0.30) mol · kg^?1 were taken. The values of the compressibilities, expansivity and apparent molar properties for [C_nmim][Br] in aqueous and methanolic solutions were determined at the investigated temperatures. The obtained apparent molar volumes and apparent molar isentropic compressibilities were fitted to the Redlich–Mayer and the Pitzer’s equations from which the corresponding infinite dilution molar properties were obtained. The values of the infinite dilution molar properties were used to obtain some information about solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The thermodynamic properties of investigated ionic liquids in aqueous solutions have been compared with those in methanolic solutions. Also, the comparison between thermodynamic properties of investigated solutions and those of electrolyte solutions, polymer solutions, cationic surfactant solutions and tetraalkylammonium salt solutions have been made.     

Liquid structures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and carbon dioxide mixtures by X-ray diffraction measurements

X-ray diffraction measurements for the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM][BF₄], mixed with CO₂ were carried out at high pressures using our developed polymer cell. The intermolecular distribution functions obtained for [BMIM][BF₄]–CO₂ mixtures showed that CO₂ molecules are preferentially solvated to the [BF₄]⁻ anion. The similar preferential solvation was previously observed in analogous 1-btuyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF₆], with a different anion, which is in harmony with the present results in [BMIM][BF₄]–CO₂.     

Surface tension of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids with trifluoromethanesulfonate and tetrafluoroborate anion

The amount of available accurate experimental data on the surface tension of ionic liquids is still limited; in many cases the data are rare or even absent. In the present study, air-liquid interfacial tension data were determined experimentally for five 1-C_n-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids (n = 2, 4, and 6), three with trifluoromethanesulfonate and two with tetrafluoroborate anion, at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range from 268 to 356 K. The resultant surface tension data are average values of the measurements repeated many times at each set point temperature. The accuracy of the results, was confirmed by employing the Wilhelmy plate and the du Noüy ring methods in parallel, using the Krüss K100MK2 tensiometer. For the Wilhelmy plate data the combined standard uncertainty is estimated to be about 0.05 mN m⁻¹. The data obtained by du Noüy method show about up to seven times greater scatter than those obtained by the Wilhelmy plate method. To the 50 up to now published surface tension values for the five studied ionic liquids the present study adds further 175 data points. In contrast to that of n-alkanes, the surface tension of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids decreases and their surface entropy increases with the cation alkyl chain length.     

Physicochemical properties and structures of room temperature ionic liquids. 2. Variation of alkyl chain length in imidazolium cation

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([Rmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N], R = methyl (m), ethyl (e), butyl (b), hexyl (C(6)), and octyl (C(8))) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and the thermal behavior, density, viscosity, self-diffusion coefficients of the cation and anion, and ionic conductivity were measured over a wide temperature range. The self-diffusion coefficient, viscosity, ionic conductivity, and molar conductivity change with temperature following the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation, and the density shows a linear decrease. The pulsed-field-gradient spin-echo NMR method reveals a higher self-diffusion coefficient for the cation compared to that for the anion over a wide temperature range, even if the cationic radius is larger than that of the anion. The summation of the cationic and anionic diffusion coefficients for the RTILs follows the order [emim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [mmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [C(6)mim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [C(8)mim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N], which greatly contrasts to the viscosity data. The ratio of molar conductivity obtained from impedance measurements to that calculated by the ionic diffusivity using the Nernst-Einstein equation quantifies the active ions contributing to ionic conduction in the diffusion components, in other words, ionicity of the ionic liquids. The ratio decreases with increasing number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Finally, a balance between the electrostatic and induction forces has been discussed in terms of the main contribution factor in determining the physicochemical properties.     

Vaporization enthalpies of imidazolium based ionic liquids: dependence on alkyl chain length

Vaporization enthalpies of a series of ten 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ionic liquids (ILs) [C(n) mim][NTf(2) ] with alkyl chain lengths of n=2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 are determined by using a recently developed quartz crystal microbalance method. Due to the high sensitivity of the microbalance vapor studies can be extended to temperatures 60-100 K lower than those available with other methods. The results reveal a remarkably linear dependence of the vaporization enthalpies on the chain length at the reference temperature of 298 K.     

Structural studies of the phase, aggregation and surface behaviour of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium halide + water mixtures

The surface, phase and aggregation behaviour of mixtures of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium halide, [C(n)mim]X, where n is the alkyl chain length, with water has been explored using a variety of methods. Critical micelle concentrations (cmc) and micelle structures have been determined for aqueous [C(n)mim]Br solutions for n=2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements reveal that for the n=8 and 10 systems, at concentrations just above the cmc, small near-spherical aggregates exist, which, after initial growth, possess core radii (aggregation numbers) at intermediate concentrations of 10.5+/-0.5 Angstrom (22+/-2) and 13.2+/-0.5 Angstrom (40+/-3), respectively, for n=8 and n=10. Towards higher concentrations, the aggregates appear to grow, with the aggregates in the [C(10)mim]Br system becoming increasingly elongated (prolate) with increasing concentration. No evident aggregates are formed in the systems with n=2 and 4. In the n=6 system, it appears that oblate aggregates with radius approximately 9 Angstrom form at the cmc and that the radius increases with increasing concentration. For longer alkyl chain lengths, at high concentrations lyotropic mesophases form in some systems. The mesophase region for the [C(8)mim]Cl system has been explored across the composition range using X-ray diffraction and (2)H NMR spectroscopy. Both techniques suggest that a major hexagonal phase with lattice parameter of 29.5+/-0.5 Angstrom coexists with a minor lamellar phase (23.5+/-0.3 Angstrom) or possibly a second hexagonal phase (27.1+/-0.4 Angstrom). The area per adsorbed molecule at the surface of [C(8)mim]Br solutions has been measured as a function of concentration using neutron reflectometry. A minimum in the area per molecule behaviour is coincident with a minimum identified in the surface tension isotherm occurring close to the cmc. The data suggest depletion of [C(8)mim]Br from the surface region occurs at concentrations immediately above the cmc.     

Influence of alkyl chain on the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide at different temperatures

Osmotic coefficients ?, mean activity coefficients γ_±, vapor pressure p data, and excess Gibbs free energies G^E of aqueous solutions of three ionic liquids 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [PMIm]Br, 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [PnMIm]Br, and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [HMIm]Br were determined by the vapor pressure osmometry method at four temperatures (298.15 K to 328.15 K) in intervals 10 K. From the comparison of osmotic coefficients it follows that aqueous solution of [PMIm]Br shows a more pronounced deviation from Debye–Hückel limiting law (DHLL) and vapor pressure depression more than the other studied ionic liquids which was interpreted in terms of hydrophobic interactions. The Pitzer-ion interaction and MNRTL electrolyte models satisfactorily correlate experimental osmotic coefficient data with good precision. The parameters of the Pitzer-ion interaction model are used to calculate the mean molal activity coefficients and excess Gibbs free energies.     

Measurement of activity coefficients at infinite dilution in 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid

This work reports activity coefficients at infinite dilution of 31 organic compounds in 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₁₆MIM][BF₄] determined using inverse gas chromatography. The measurements were carried out at temperatures (323.15, 333.15, and 343.15) K. Flory–Huggins interaction parameter and solubility parameter were calculated from an experimental retention data.     

Effect of alkyl chain length and hydroxyl group functionalization on the surface properties of imidazolium ionic liquids

Properties of the surface of ionic liquids, such as surface tension, ordering, and charge and density profiles, were studied using molecular simulation. Two types of modification in the molecular structure of imidazolium cations were studied: the length of the alkyl side chain and the presence of a polar hydroxyl group at the end of the side chain. Four ionic liquids were considered: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C(2)C(1)im][BF(4)]; 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C(2)OHC(1)im][BF(4)]; 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C(8)C(1)im][BF(4)] and 1-(8-hydroxyoctyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C(8)OHC(1)im][BF(4)]. The surface tension was calculated using both mechanical and thermodynamic definitions, with consistent treatment of the long-range corrections. The simulations reproduce the available experimental values of surface tension with a maximum deviation of ±10%. This energetic characterization of the interface is completed by microscopic structural analysis of orientational ordering at the interface and density profiles along the direction normal to the interface. The presence of the hydroxyl group modifies the local structure at the interface, leading to a less organized liquid phase. The results allow us to relate the surface tension to the structural ordering at the liquid-vacuum interface.     

Influence of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate on the lamellar liquid crystal formed by tetraethylene glycol lauryl ether and water

Lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) formed in tetraethylene glycol lauryl ether–water system by the addition of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C _n Mim][BF₄], n?=?2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are characterised by polarised optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques. A small number of [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules can be solubilised in the liquid crystal without changing the lamellar type. These imidazolium salts are considered as an ideal kind of modifiers for the ordered structure. With different lengths of alkyl chains, [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules appear in various domains of ordered assemblies: in the water layer for [C₂Mim][BF₄], in the water layer as well as in the polar domain for [C₄Mim][BF₄] and in the apolar domain for the other imidazolium salts with long alkyl chains. Diverse distributions of [C _n Mim][BF₄] molecules in the inner structure bring about their specific influence on the lamellar phase. These results enlighten the use of diverse alkyl-substituted imidazolium salts in modulating LLC and other assemblies and also enrich the aggregation behaviour of these assemblies.     

Effect of temperature on the physical properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids with thiocyanate and tetrafluoroborate anions,and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium with tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate anions

The effect of temperature on the physical properties of some ionic liquids was investigated. Density, refractive index, surface tension, dynamic and kinematic viscosities of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids with thiocyanate and tetrafluoroborate, and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium with tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate anions were measured at various temperatures (density from T = (278.15 to 363.15) K, refractive index from (293.15 to 343.15) K, surface tension from (283.15 to 333.15) K, dynamic viscosity from (283.15 to 368.15) K, and kinematic viscosity from (298.15 to 363.15) K). The volumetric properties for the ionic liquids were also calculated from the experimental values of the density at T = 298.15 K. The Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) equation was applied to correlate experimental values of dynamic and kinematic viscosities as a function of temperature. As well, the relation between density and refractive index was correlated satisfactorily with several empirical equations such as Lorentz–Lorenz, Dale–Gladstone, Eykman, Oster, Arago–Biot, Newton and Modified–Eykman. Finally, the relation between surface tension and viscosity was investigated and the parachor method was used to predict density, refractive index and surface tension of the ionic liquids.     

Thermodynamic investigations of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and cycloalkanone mixtures

The densities, ρ, speeds of sound, u, and heat capacities, (C _P)_mix, for binary 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (1) + cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone (2) mixtures within temperature range (293.15–308.15 K) and excess molar enthalpies, H ^E, at 298.15 K have been measured over the entire composition range. The excess molar volumes, V ^E, excess isentropic compressibilities, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}}, \) and excess heat capacities, \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}}, \) have been computed from the experimental results. The V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} \) , H ^E, and \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}} \) values have been calculated and compared with calculated values from Graph theory. It has been observed that V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} \) , H ^E, and \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}} \) values were predicted by Graph theory compare well with their experimental values. The V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}}, \) and H ^E thermodynamic properties have also been analyzed in terms of Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory.     

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.     

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of methacrylate, acrylate and styrene monomers in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexfluorophosphate

1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexfluorophosphate ([C_x][PF₆], where x=4, 6-8) is used as solvent for the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and styrene by the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer process. In the case of styrene, the insolubility of the polymer in ionic liquid stops the polymerization at an early stage. The acrylate and methacrylate polymerizations lead to products with molecular weights close to the theoretical ones and polydispersity indexes lower than 1.3. The polymerizations are shown to be living by chain extension of the products formed in ionic liquid. In the case of the methyl methacrylate, the kinetics of the polymerizations are followed and the molecular weight of the polymer is shown to increase linearly with the conversion, as expected for a living polymerization.