Electrical impedance spectroscopy characterisation of supported ionic liquid membranes

Supported liquid membranes (SLMs), prepared by immobilising the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [C_nMIM]PF₆ (n = 4 and 8) and [C₁₀MIM]BF₄ in a polyvinylidene (PVDF) supporting membrane, were prepared and characterised by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (IS). This non-invasive technique allows the determination of the electrical properties of a given sample, such as the electrical resistance and capacitance under working conditions, i.e., in contact with saline solutions.

Bearing in mind that the water content of the ionic liquids can drastically affect their physicochemical properties, impedance measurements of the SLMs, placed between two aqueous solutions, were carried out at regular time intervals, in order to assess the impact of the presence of water inside the RTILs on the electrical properties of supported ionic liquid membranes. The electrical resistance of the SLMs and its variation during long-term operation was also used as a physical parameter to identify the presence/loss of ionic liquid from the pores of the support. Additionally, the comparison of the IS results obtained for the SLMs with those obtained for the supporting membrane was carried out, in order to gather information about electrical changes associated with the presence of ionic liquid in the pores.     

A SEM–EDX study of highly stable supported liquid membranes based on ionic liquids

This work evaluates the operational stability of six different supported liquid membranes (SLMs) based on ionic liquids (ILs). [bmim⁺][PF₆⁻]_, [bmim⁺][BF₄⁻] and [bmim⁺][NTf₂⁻] were used as supporting phase in Nylon^® and Mitex^® membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was used to characterize the membrane surface morphologically and examine the global chemical composition of the membranes and the distribution of the ILs within them.

Study of the freshly impregnated membranes showed that, in all cases, the ILs were homogeneously distributed, mostly filling the pores of the membranes although, in some cases, a small amount of excess of IL was located on the external membrane surface. Stability tests were performed by keeping the respective impregnated membranes immersed for a week in a diffusion cell including two independent compartments and using n-hexane/n-hexane as the respective feed and receiving phases. The SEM–EDX study of membranes after continuous operation showed that the ILs were still retained within the membrane pores and only small losses of the IL initially located on the external surface were observed. These observations are in complete agreement with the ionic losses determined by mass balance.     

Prediction of the selectivity in the recovery of transesterification reaction products using supported liquid membranes based on ionic liquids

Previously, we reported the selective simultaneous separation of the substrates and products of a transesterification reaction (vinyl butyrate, 1-butanol, butyl butyrate and butyric acid) through supported liquid membranes (SLMs) based on ionic liquids (ILs) and concluded that transport of the compounds was mainly regulated by the affinity of the ionic liquid towards each solute.     

Relaxation phenomena in dense,glassy membranes prepared from a polymer solution,monitored by changes in dielectric properties

The drying of a solvent-cast polymer film is monitored in a non-invasive way, by measuring the changes in time of dielectric properties, using interdigitated or comb electrodes. Experimentally, the vitrification of the polymer solution is observed at a distinct time, followed by the slow evaporation of solvent from the glassy state. As the solvent diffusion coefficient is a strong function of the concentration in the polymer film, removal of residual solvent proceeds at a self-decreasing rate. With a simple model, solvent mass transfer coefficients in the glassy state are determined from the experiments. It is shown that volume relaxation may be slow compared to the drying process, when preparing thin solvent-cast membranes and using solvents that diffuse relatively fast through the glassy polymer film.     

Recent advances in solid-state polymer electrolytes and innovative ionic liquids based polymer electrolyte systems

Solid polymer electrolytes are a promising alternative to widely used liquid carbonate electrolytes to deliver next-generation lithium-ion batteries with improved safety. However, the limited ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance with electrodes limit their widespread use. This review aims to give an overview of the recent research on performance aspects and strategies of solid polymer electrolytes, including ionic conductivity, lithium transference number, design flexibility, scale-up, and integration of ionic liquids with a focus on safety.     

Novel polymer electrolytes prepared by copolymerization of ionic liquid monomers

Ionic liquid monomer couples were prepared by the neutralization of 1‐vinylimidazole with vinylsulfonic acid or 3‐sulfopropyl acrylate. These ionic liquid monomer couples were viscous liquid at room temperature and showed low glass transition temperature (Tg) at ?83 °C and ?73 °C, respectively. These monomer couples were copolymerized to prepare ion conductive polymer matrix. Thus prepared ionic liquid copolymers had no carrier ions, and they showed very low ionic conductivity of below 10^?9 S cm^?1. Equimolar amount of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) to imidazolium salt unit was then added to generate carrier ions in the ionic liquid copolymers. Poly(vinylimidazolium‐co‐vinylsulfonate) containing equimolar LiTFSI showed the ionic conductivity of 4 × 10^?8 S cm^?1 at 30 °C. Advanced copolymer, poly(vinylimidazolium‐co‐3‐sulfopropyl acrylate) which has flexible spacer between the anionic charge and polymer main chain, showed the ionic conductivity of about 10^?6 S cm^?1 at 30 °C, which is 100 times higher than that of copolymer without spacer. Even an excess amount of LiTFSI was added, the ionic conductivity of the copolymer kept this conductivity. This tendency is completely different from the typical polyether systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of ionic liquids on silver thermoplastic polyurethane composite membranes for propane/propylene separation

This work describes newly synthesized composite polymeric membranes and their utilization in propane/propylene separation in a gas mixture. The nonporous composite polymers were successfully synthesized by using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and several silver salts/silver salts with ionic liquids (ILs). Our studies showed that silver bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Ag[Tf₂N]) containing membranes outperformed other silver salt containing membranes in terms of selectivity. In addition, to this finding, ILs, as additives for the membranes, enhanced the selectivity by facilitating improved coordination of the olefin with the silver ions in the dense composite polymers.     

果糖一步转化制备呋喃基燃料：溶剂效应及离子液体修饰活性金属对产物选择性的决定作用

在众多生物基化合物中,2,5-二甲基呋喃(DMF)是一种有实用前景的可再生液体生物质燃料,也是一种具有重要价值的化学品,可作为生产对苯二甲酸的原料.2,5-二甲基四氢呋喃(DMTF)是DMF进一步加氢产物,该化合物比DMF更稳定,适合长期保存;由于具有更高的氢碳比,用作生物燃料燃烧时能够释放更多能量.研究生物质资源制备DMF和DMTF对可再生资源制备液体燃料和化学品具有重要意义.从生物质多糖出发制备这两类化合物,中间经历了水解、脱水、加氢、加氢脱氧等多个反应步骤,每一步反应都十分复杂,包含许多副反应途径.此外,由于每一步反应条件的不兼容性,大多数研究集中在分步反应阶段,鲜有文献能够实现从碳水化合物原料直接转化为DMF和DMTF.发展由生物质一锅法多步耦合转化技术制备化学品和燃料,不仅具有科学意义,而且可大大简化反应过程,避免中间产物分离和损失,节省资源和时间,历来受到化学家和工业界的关注.本文利用离子液体对Ru/C催化剂电子性质的修饰作用以及溶剂效应的影响,设计了离子液体/THF双相体系中果糖直接催化转化制备2,5-二甲基呋喃(DMF)和2,5-二甲基四氢呋喃(DMTF)的新路线.该转化过程耦合了果糖脱水制HMF、HMF加氢及加氢脱氧生成DMF和DMTF等多步反应.通常在HMF加氢转化过程中, Ru/C催化剂的高活性易导致HMF深度加氢生成大量开环产物及气体,我们借助离子液体与有机溶剂的不同溶解性,筛选出[BMIm]Cl/THF双相溶剂体系,使极性HMF在离子液体层反应,生成弱极性的DMF和DMTF能及时被THF萃取出来,有效稳定了目标产物.其次,果糖转化为HMF会产生少量水,通常水的存在易导致HMF发生水合等副反应,对下一步的加氢转化是不利因素;然而在本催化体系中,由于[BMIm]Cl能与水以较强的氢键结合形成水合物,对水分子起到了束缚作用,减少了HMF发生水解、水合等副反应的机会.另一方面,离子液体粘度较大,微量水的存在能降低离子液体层粘度,改善传质,从而提高反应速率.在HMF加氢处理过程中,离子液体对DMF和DMTF的生成起了决定作用.当反应体系中不添加离子液体,以THF为溶剂,反应结束后未检测到DMF生成, DMTF的收率仅为2%,但HMF已经完全转化.取气体样品进行GC分析,发现有部分气相产物生成,包括CO2、CH4和C2H6等.液体混合物进行GC-MS检测,发现产物主要包括DHMTF、5-甲基四氢糠醇(MTFA)、四氢糠醇(TFA)、1,2-戊二醇、DMTF、2-己醇和少量戊醇,产物中所有呋喃环结构的双键都发生加氢反应.以上结果表明,没有离子液体的THF中, Ru/C催化的HMF涉氢反应平衡已发生改变.当反应体系中添加0.2 g离子液体[BMIm]Cl进行HMF的加氢时,此时开始有DMF生成,随着[BMIm]Cl量依次增加, DMF以及DMTF的收率也呈上升趋势.1.0 g离子液体获得两种产物最高收率为68%.然而,如果进一步增加[BMIm]Cl的量到2.0 g,呋喃基液体燃料DMF和DMTF的收率却开始下降.综合以上实验结果,我们认为适量的[BMIm]Cl存在有可能会对催化剂物理化学性质造成影响,从而对产物的选择性起了决定性作用.通过对催化剂进行元素分析、XPS、H2-TPR表征以及一系列对比实验证明,离子液体不仅促进果糖脱水转化为HMF,同时在HMF选择性加氢反应中可修饰活性金属电子性质,改变催化路径,是多步串联反应能够耦合的关键因素.在[BMIm]Cl/THF双相溶剂体系中,离子液体的“溶剂笼效应”促进DMF和DMTF高效生成, THF的萃取功能对目标产物的稳定起了关键作用.以上对催化剂和溶剂的合理设计共同促进高产率呋喃基燃料的获得.该研究实现由六碳糖直接选择转化获取DMF和DMTF,为生物质高效催化转化制备生物基能源化学品提供了新思路.     

Preparation and characterization of conductive chitosan–ionic liquid composite membranes

Anhydrous conductive membranes composing of a composite of chitosan (CS) and ionic liquids with symmetrical carboxyl groups were explored. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that porous composite membranes could be obtained by combining CS with different amounts of 1,4‐bis(3‐carboxymethyl‐imidazolium)‐1‐yl butane chloride ([CBIm]Cl). Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed that the formation of ammonium salts after CS was combined with [CBIm]Cl. The thermal property of CS–ionic liquid composite membranes was studied through thermogravimetric analysis. The anhydrous ionic conductivities of CS–[CBIm]X (X = Cl, Ac, BF₄, and I) composite membranes were measured using ac impedance spectroscopy at room temperature in N₂ atmosphere. The conductivities (0.4–0.7 × 10^?4 Scm^?1), found to be in the same range as semiconductors, were significantly higher than those of pure CS membrane (<10^?8 Scm^?1). In addition, the anhydrous conductivity of composite membrane based on CS–[CBIm]I at room temperature reached a level as high as 0.91 × 10^?2 Scm^?1 when iodine was doped. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the importance of the nature of the ionic liquids in the selective simultaneous separation of the substrates and products of a transesterification reaction through supported ionic liquid membranes

Previously, we reported the selective simultaneous separation of the substrates and products of a transesterification reaction (vinyl butyrate, 1-butanol, butyl butyrate, and butyric acid) through supported liquid membranes (SLMs) based on two ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [bmim⁺][PF₆⁻], and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [omim⁺][PF₆⁻]. The significant differences observed in the selectivity values, attributed to the different nature of the ionic liquid phase used, led us to further investigate this matter.     

The confinement and anion type effect on the physicochemical properties of ionic liquid/halloysite nanoclay ionogels

This work is the first attempt to study the physicochemical properties of ionogels - quasi-solid hybrid materials formed by ionic liquids (ILs) − 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMIm⁺) salts with dicyanamide- (DCA⁻), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide- (TFSI⁻), and trifluoromethanesulfonate- (Otf⁻) anions - and halloysite, a powdered clay filler with nanotube particles (at the IL:Hal molar ratio of 2:1) in order to find possible new applications of ionic liquids and industrial minerals. The electron microscopy, TG, and DSC analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, conductometry and cyclic voltammetry methods are used to investigate the anion effect on the IL interaction with halloysite. It has, for the first time, been found that the distinguishing feature of halloysite interaction with an IL determining the structural changes in the clay mineral and electrochemical characteristics of the ionogels is partial dehydration of the clay and absorption of the released water by the ionic liquid. It is shown that the halloysite dehydration effect depends on the IL hydrophilicity determined by the anion type, corresponds to the series: BMImDCA > BMImOtf > BMImTFSI. The electrochemical and thermal behaviour of ILs confined within a halloysite matrix differs from that of bulk ILs and is controlled by the anion type. Temperature dependences of the structural resistance of the halloysite filler are radically different for the ILs with high and low hydrophilicity. The effects resulting from the formation of halloysite-based ionogels can be of interest to those who develop quasi-solid ionic conductors that can work within a wide temperature range.     

High temperature separation of carbon dioxide/hydrogen mixtures using facilitated supported ionic liquid membranes

Efficiently separating CO₂ from H₂ is one of the key steps in the environmentally responsible uses of fossil fuel for energy production. A wide variety of resources, including petroleum coke, coal, and even biomass, can be gasified to produce syngas (a mixture of CO and H₂). This gas stream can be further reacted with water to produce CO₂ and more H₂. Once separated, the CO₂ can be stored in a variety of geological formations or sequestered by other means. The H₂ can be combusted to operate a turbine, producing electricity, or used to power hydrogen fuel cells. In both cases, only water is produced as waste. An amine-functionalized ionic liquid encapsulated in a supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM) can separate CO₂ from H₂ with a higher permeability and selectivity than any known membrane system. This separation is accomplished at elevated temperatures using facilitated transport supported ionic liquid membranes.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl α-benzamido cinnamate in ionic liquid solvent

The room temperature ionic liquid EMIMOTf was employed as the sole reaction solvent for the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl α-benzamido cinnamate. Under conditions of 60 psi hydrogen and 50 °C for 24 h, near quantitative conversions were observed using both the achiral DiPFc-Rh catalyst, and the chiral EtDuPHOS-Rh catalysts. Enantiomeric excess of 89% ee was observed for hydrogenations carried out with the chiral catalyst.     

Changes in the physical properties of low bandgap polymer after interaction with ionic liquids

Over the past few years, polymers shown comprehensive utilization in optical devices, solar cells, sensors, and other such devices. However, the efficiency of these devices remains a problem. We have synthesized new thiophene based, lowband gap polymer, poly(2-heptadecyl-4-vinylthieno[3,4-d] [1,3] selenazole) (PHVTS) and investigated the interactions between the PHVTS and ionic liquids (ILs), in this study. We have used imidazolium- and ammonium-family ILs, and studied the interactions using various spectroscopic techniques such UV–visible, FTIR, and confocal Raman spectroscopies. Additionally, we studied surface morphology of the polymer-IL film. Spectroscopic studies show that both families of ILs can interact with the newly synthesized polymer poly(2-heptadecyl-4-vinylthieno[3,4-d] [1,3] selenazole). However, the imidazolium-family Ionic Liquid-polymer (IL-polymer) mixture films show higher conductivities than ammonium-family IL–polymer mixture films.     

Incorporation of ionic liquid into porous polymer monoliths to enhance the separation of small molecules in reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography

An ionic liquid was incorporated into the porous polymer monoliths to afford stationary phases with enhanced chromatographic performance for small molecules in reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The effect of the ionic liquid in the polymerization mixture on the performance of the monoliths was studied in detail. While monoliths without ionic liquid exhibited poor resolution and low efficiency, the addition of ionic liquid to the polymerization mixture provides highly increased resolution and high efficiency. The chromatographic performances of the monoliths were demonstrated by the separations of various small molecules including aromatic hydrocarbons, isomers, and homologues using a binary polar mobile phase. The present column efficiency reached 27 000 plates/m, which showed that the ionic liquid monoliths are alternative stationary phases in the separation of small molecules by high‐performance liquid chromatography     

Transition-metal free ring deuteration of imidazolium ionic liquid cations

A simple, low-cost and transition-metal free ring deuteration procedure applicable to ionic liquids (ILs) with imidazolium cations has been developed. Reaction profiles for the exchange have been measured.     

A highly active ionic liquid catalyst for Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction is an efficient carbon-carbon bond forming reaction for the preparation of α-methylene-β-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. A new and highly active di-naphthalene imidazolium salt has been synthesized. We have found that 1,3-bis[2-(naphthalene-2-yloxy)propyl]imidazolium bromid promoted the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of various aryl aldehyde compounds in the absence of solvents. Our studies show that the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction by the influence of ionic liquid to give a high yield and short reaction time.     

Measurements and equation-of-state modelling of thermodynamic properties of binary mixtures of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tetracyanoborate ionic liquid with molecular compounds

This paper presents a comprehensive thermodynamic study of binary mixtures formed by 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tetracyanoborate ionic liquid and hydrocarbons (n-heptane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene), thiophene and alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol and 1-dodecanol). An impact of chemical structure of molecular compounds on their solubility in the ionic liquid and excess enthalpies of mixing is discussed. Furthermore, modelling of the measured properties by using perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) is presented. The theory is applied in both correlative and semi-predictive mode involving temperature-dependent binary corrections fitted to infinite dilution activity coefficients. Solubility curves and excess enthalpies are captured by the model with a reasonable accuracy, when semi-predictive strategy is adopted. Moreover, (liquid + liquid) equilibrium phase diagram in ternary system composed of the investigated ionic liquid, thiophene and n-heptane is predicted with PC-SAFT and then the calculations are confronted with available experimental data. The results indicate that the approach proposed can be perceived as an interesting tool for reproducing the thermodynamic behaviour disclosed by such complex systems as those based on ionic liquids.     

Synthesis and light gas separations in cross-linked gemini room temperature ionic liquid polymer membranes

Cross-linkable gemini room temperature ionic liquids (GRTILs) were synthesized and photo-cross-linked into thin films. The resultant polymer membranes were tested for their permeabilities to CO₂, N₂, CH₄ and H₂. Permeabilities for each gas were found to be much lower when compared to previously reported poly(RTIL) membranes, mainly as a result of highly restricted diffusion. Separation factors were similar to previously studied poly(RTIL) membranes. CH₄ and N₂ fluxes were small enough to consider these membranes as “barrier” films to the transport of those gases. Poly(GRTILs) may have use in applications where flow of those gases is not desirable.