Activated carbon felts with exfoliated graphene nanosheets for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors

Porous activated carbon felts (ACFs) with exfoliated graphene nanosheets were prepared by a simple thermal treatment strategy. They exhibit high gravimetric and areal specific capacitances as well as long-term cycling stability. Impressively, the all-solid-state supercapacitors based on ACFs electrodes deliver stable electrochemical performance even under different bending states.     

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.     

Sol/gel transition and liquid crystal transition of HPC in ionic liquid

This work uses an ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, as a solvent to study the sol/gel transition (SGT) and liquid crystal transition (LCT) of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) solution. The LCT concentration of HPC at room temperature is 7 wt%, which is slightly higher than its SGT concentration of 6 wt%. For HPC concentrations of over 7 wt%, three rheological approaches were utilized, and the parameters relaxation time, hysteresis ratio and loss modulus (G″) are measured to determine the LCT temperature. The relaxation study concludes that the LC-critical concentration of HPC is 7 wt%. When HPC exceeds 7 wt%, the LC transition temperatures, ranging from 45 to 51 °C, can be measured and are proportional to the HPC concentration. The rheological results are then confirmed by making observations under a polarized optical microscope. All results are highly mutually consistent. Most significantly, the rheological parameters adopted herein can be used as good indicators of the LC transition. Of those indicators, G″ changes distinctly at the LCT point, and can thus be suggested to be the most helpful indicator in determining the LCT temperature.     

Capacitive performance of ordered mesoporous carbons with tunable porous texture in ionic liquid electrolytes

Ordered mesoporous carbons with tunable pore size and surface chemical properties are prepared by doping boric acid using a hard-templating method. The capacitive performance of these carbons is investigated in two common ionic liquids of EMImBF₄ and EMImTSFI. As demonstrated by the structure analysis, the pore size increases from 3.3 to 5.7 nm and the content of oxygenated groups on the carbon surface increases from 2.0 to 5.2 mol% with the increase of the boron doping from 0 to 50 mol%. In ionic liquid electrolyte, the carbons mainly show typical electric double layer capacitance, and the capacitance retention ratio and ion diffusion in the carbon channels is determined to the surface chemical property. The prepared carbons present visible pseudo-capacitance due to the rapid redox reactions of the oxygenated groups in hydrophilic EMImBF₄, reflecting by the increasing of the specific surface capacitance, while no visible pseudo-capacitive behavior was observed in hydrophobic EMImTSFI.     

Synthesis of Pt/ionic liquid/graphene nanocomposite and its simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine

A water-soluble and electroactive composite - Pt nanoparticles/polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid (PFIL)/graphene sheets (GS) nanocomposite was synthesized in one pot. The structure and composition of the Pt/PFIL/GS nanocomposite were studied by means of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images reveal Pt nanoparticles are densely dispersed on the transparent thin PFIL-functionalized graphene sheets. The obtained Pt/PFIL/GS nanocomposite-modified electrode was fabricated to simultaneously determine ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) by cyclic voltammetry. It is worthwhile noting that the difference between the two peak potentials of AA and DA oxidation is over 200 mV, which leads to distinguishing AA from DA. The detection of increasing concentrations of AA in the presence of DA and the oxidation of continuous addition of DA in the presence of AA were also studied using differential pulse voltammetry. The proposed sensor in real sample analysis was also examined in human urine samples. Three independent oxidation peaks appear in urine sample containing AA and DA. Therefore, the Pt/PFIL/GS nanocomposite might offer a good possibility for applying it to routine analysis of AA and DA in clinical use.     

Printing graphene-carbon nanotube-ionic liquid gel on graphene paper: Towards flexible electrodes with efficient loading of PtAu alloy nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing of blood glucose

The increasing demands for portable, wearable, and implantable sensing devices have stimulated growing interest in innovative electrode materials. In this work, we have demonstrated that printing a conductive ink formulated by blending three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene–carbon nanotube (CNT) assembly with ionic liquid (IL) on two-dimensional (2D) graphene paper (GP), leads to a freestanding GP supported graphene–CNT–IL nanocomposite (graphene–CNT–IL/GP). The incorporation of highly conductive CNTs into graphene assembly effectively increases its surface area and improves its electrical and mechanical properties. The graphene–CNT–IL/GP, as freestanding and flexible substrates, allows for efficient loading of PtAu alloy nanoparticles by means of ultrasonic-electrochemical deposition. Owing to the synergistic effect of PtAu alloy nanoparticles, 3D porous graphene–CNT scaffold, IL binder and 2D flexible GP substrate, the resultant lightweight nanohybrid paper electrode exhibits excellent sensing performances in nonenzymatic electrochemical detection of glucose in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and mechanical properties.     

Structure,thermal conductivity,and thermal stability of bromobutyl rubber nanocomposites with ionic liquid modified graphene oxide

In this report, we demonstrate that both the thermal stability and the thermal conductivity of bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) nanocomposites could be improved by incorporating the ionic liquids (ILs) modified graphene oxide (GO-ILs) using a solution compounding method. The structure, thermal stability and thermal conductivity of this newly modified BIIR nanocomposites were systematically analyzed and studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of GO-ILs showed that ILs had been effectively intercalated into the interlayer of GO, which was found to be able to raise the exfoliation degree of GO. The increased exfoliation degree facilitated a good dispersion of GO-ILs in the BIIR matrix, as revealed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposites were also raised by the addition of GO-ILs, which indicates the strong interfacial adhesion between GO-ILs and the rubber. Most importantly, the incorporation of GO-ILs in the BIIR matrix could effectively improve the thermal stability of the rubber nanocomposites according to our thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energy (E_a) of thermal decomposition of GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposites increases with the addition of GO-ILs. Besides, the thermal conductivity of GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposite with 4 wt% of GO-ILs had 1.3-fold improvement compared to that of unfilled BIIR.     

基于原位聚合离子液体凝胶的固态电致变色器件的制备及性能研究

本文通过在离子液体BmimPF6中原位热聚合甲基丙烯酸甲酯得到了透明的离子液体凝胶。通过交流阻抗测定,当BmimPF6与甲基丙烯酸甲酯的质量比为5∶1时,离子液体凝胶的导电率为1.33×10-3Scm-1。将通过电化学沉积制得的三氧化钨(WO3)和普鲁士蓝(PB)修饰FTO电极,与上述离子液体凝胶一起组装得到了全固态的电致变色器件。原位吸收光谱数据显示所制得的电致变色器件,在±2V的工作电压下,具有稳定的电致变色响应,其着色和褪色时间分别为4.5s和4.0s,着色效率达190cm2C-1(λ=660nm)。     

Ionic liquid foam floatation coupled with ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the separation and determination of estrogens in water samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

An ionic liquid foam floatation coupled with ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method was proposed for the extraction and concentration of 17‐α‐estradiol, 17‐β‐estradiol‐benzoate, and quinestrol in environmental water samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. 1‐Hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate was applied as foaming agent in the foam flotation process and dispersive solvent in microextraction. The introduction of the ion‐pairing and salting‐out agent NH₄PF₆ was beneficial to the improvement of recoveries for the hydrophobic ionic liquid phase and analytes. Parameters of the proposed method including concentration of 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, flow rate of carrier gas, floatation time, types and concentration of ionic liquids, salt concentration in samples, extraction time, and centrifugation time were evaluated. The recoveries were between 98 and 105% with relative standard deviations lower than 7% for lake water and well water samples. The isolation of the target compounds from the water was found to be efficient, and the enrichment factors ranged from 4445 to 4632. This developing method is free of volatile organic solvents compared with regular extraction. Based on the unique properties of ionic liquids, the application of foam floatation, and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was widened.     

Structural and thermal characterization of sugarcane bagasse cellulose succinates prepared in ionic liquid

The chemical modification of SCB cellulose with succinic anhydride using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid/DMSO system as reaction medium was studied. The parameters including the molar ratio of succinic anhydride/anhydroglucose units in cellulose from 1:1 to 12:1, reaction time 5-120 min, and reaction temperature 85-105 °C were investigated. The results showed that the degree substitution of succinylated cellulosic preparations ranged from 0.037 to 0.53. It was found that the treatment of the native cellulose in the ionic liquid/DMSO system under the conditions given significantly degraded the cellulose and completely destroyed the cellulose crystals. FT-IR and solid-state CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectra produced evidence for succinoylation reaction and the results showed that succinoylation occurred at positions C-6, C-2 and C-3. The thermal stability of the succinylated cellulose decreased upon chemical modification.     

Combination of ionic liquid dispersive liquid-phase microextraction and high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of triazine herbicides in water samples

A temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid-phase microextraction in combination with high performance liquid chromatography was developed for the enrichment and determination of triazine herbicides such as cyanazine,simazine,and atrazine in water samples.1-Octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate([C8MIM][PF6]) was selected as the extraction solvent.Several experimental parameters were optimized.Under the optimal conditions,the linear range for cyanazine was in the concentration range of 0.5–80 mg/L and the linear range for simazine and atrazine was in the range of1.0–100 mg/L.The limit of detection(LOD,S/N = 3) was in the ranges of 0.05–0.06 mg/L,and the intra day and inter day precision(RSDs,n = 6) was in the ranges of 3.2%–6.6% and 4.8%–8.9%,respectively.Four real water samples were analyzed with the developed method,and the experimental results showed that the spiked recoveries were satisfactory.All these exhibited that the developed method was a valuable tool for monitoring such pollutants.     

Ionic liquids to the rescue? Overcoming the ionic conductivity limitations of polymer electrolytes

Polymer electrolytes – solid polymeric membranes with dissolved salts – are being intensively studied for use in all-solid-state lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to power consumer electronic devices. The low ionic conductivity at room temperature of existing polymer electrolytes, however, has seriously hindered the development of such batteries for many applications. The incorporation of salts molten at room temperature (room temperature ionic liquids or RTILs) into polymer electrolytes may be the necessary solution to overcoming the inherent ionic conductivity limitations of ‘dry’ polymer electrolytes.     

Study of silica gel and copper silicate gel solubilities in high performance liquid chromatography

Summary After summarizing published results on silica gel and alkyl-bonded silica gel solubilities, the experimental solubility of unmodified silica and copper silicate gel (used in ligand exchange chromatography) in watermethanol-ammonia and water-acetonitrile-ammonia mixtures are given. These results demonstrate that silica gel solubility, measured by a static method, varies greatly with the water volume fraction of a ternary mixture. Curiously, no influence from the organic nature of the solvent was demonstrated. This observation is inconsistent with the fact that the copper silicate gel used in ligand-exchange chromatography with water-methanol-ammonia as mobile phase is attacked more rapidly than with water-acetonitrile-ammonia.An explanation based upon the variations of acid-base properties of silicic acid versus mobile phase dielectric constant values in conjunction with the methanol protophilic properties is proposed. Finally, it is shown that chromatographic columns filled with copper silicate gel have lifetimes of several months, if they are used with a procolumn (of copper silicate gel) and with acetonitrile as organic solvent with a volume fraction greater than 0.5 in the mobile phase.     

Molecularly imprinted silica prepared with immiscible ionic liquid as solvent and porogen for selective recognition of testosterone

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF₄), an ionic liquid (IL) immiscible with water, was used as a new type of solvent and porogen for the preparation of molecularly imprinted silica. The new imprinted silica was prepared by a sacrificial spacer molecular imprinting approach with testosterone as template molecule. The new covalent monomer-template complex used in the imprinting procedure was synthesized via the reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with testosterone. The imprinted silica was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, N₂ gas adsorption–desorption isotherm and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the selective adsorption ability of the imprinted particles towards testosterone was investigated by the steady-state binding experiment with testosterone propionate as its structural analogue. Results showed that the imprinted silica obtained in this study had relatively homogenous structure with numerous mesopores, indicating that the IL used here is an excellent solvent and satisfactory porogen for the preparation of imprinted materials. Moreover, ILs are more environmentally friendly than traditional organic solvents due to their negligible vapor pressure. The imprinted silica possesses highly specific recognition property and high binding capacity towards testosterone, showing that the new imprinting technique is relatively successful.     

Poly(methylene blue) functionalized graphene modified carbon ionic liquid electrode for the electrochemical detection of dopamine

An ionic liquid 1-butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate based carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was used as the substrate electrode and a poly(methylene blue) (PMB) functionalized graphene (GR) composite film was co-electrodeposited on CILE surface by cyclic voltammetry. The PMB–GR/CILE exhibited better electrochemical performances with higher conductivity and lower electron transfer resistance. Electrochemical behavior of dopamine (DA) was further investigated by cyclic voltammetry and a pair of well-defined redox peaks appeared with the peak-to-peak separation (ΔE_p) as 0.058 V in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solution, which proved a fast quasi-reversible electron transfer process on the modified electrode. Electrochemical parameters of DA on PMB–GR/CILE were calculated with the electron transfer number as 1.83, the charge transfer coefficients as 0.70, the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant as 1.72 s⁻¹ and the diffusional coefficient (D) as 3.45 × 10⁻⁴ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. Under the optimal conditions with differential pulse voltammetric measurement, the linear relationship between the oxidation peak current of DA and its concentration was obtained in the range from 0.02 to 800.0 μmol L⁻¹ with the detection limit as 5.6 nmol L⁻¹ (3σ). The coexisting substances exhibited no interference and PMB–GR/CILE was applied to the detection of DA injection samples and human urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Comparison of the performance of conventional, temperature-controlled, and ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography in analyzing pyrethroid pesticides in honey samples

This research paper presents a comparative study of the performance of conventional, ultrasound-assisted (UA), and temperature-controlled (TC) ionic liquid (IL) dispersive liquid-phase microextraction (IL-DLLME). Various parameters that affect extraction efficiency, such as type and volume of extraction and disperser solvent, centrifugation time, salt addition, effect of temperature on TC-IL-DLLME, and effect of sonication time on UA-IL-DLLME, were evaluated. UA-IL-DLLME was found to provide the best extraction efficiency. Under optimized conditions, great enrichment factors (506-515) and good recoveries (101.2-103.0%) were obtained by analyte extraction in real samples. The limit of detections (LODs) ranged from 0.21 to 0.38 μg L(-1). Good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.5-200 μg L(-1) for ethofenprox and tetramethrin, and 1-200 μg L(-1) for meperfluthrin and alpha-cypermethrin. Based on optimized conditions, the UA-IL-DLLME method was applied and combined with high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) to determine the presence of ethofenprox, tetramethrin, meperfluthrin, and alpha-cypermethrin in honey samples.     

Surface modification by graphene oxide:An efficient strategy to improve the performance of activated carbon based supercapacitors

An efficient and cost-effective strategy to modificate the surface of active carbon (AC), form a 3D-conductive network, and therefore improve the electrochemical performance of AC based supercapacitor was developed.     

Influence of the ionic liquid structure on thiophene solubility

Binary liquid-liquid equilibria for 10 systems containing an ionic liquid with thiophene were measured by dynamic method in the temperature range from 283 K to the boiling point of thiophene. The influence of ionic liquid structure on solubility of thiophene is discussed in comparison with results taken from the literature. The solubility of thiophene in all investigated ionic liquids is high - below 0.31 ionic liquid mole fraction.     

Structural,thermal, and impedance properties of a gel polymer electrolyte containing ionic liquid

The gel polymer electrolytes composed of ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF₄) and the copolymer of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) are synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR spectra, TGA, DSC, and AC impedance measurements. IR spectra show that there is an interaction between PEO side chains of the copolymer and imidazolium cations. TGA measurements indicate that the gel polymer electrolytes are stable until 120°C. By using the equivalent circuit proposed, the experimental data and the simulated data fit very well. The bulk resistance R_b is found to decrease with the increase in BMImBF₄ content. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于离子液体的单滴液相微萃取-高效液相色谱法测定水中杀螨隆农药残留

建立了基于1-辛基-3-甲基咪唑六氟磷酸盐离子液体的单滴液相微萃取-高效液相色谱测定水中的杀螨隆农药残留的新方法.考察了萃取剂种类、萃取剂体积、液滴大小、萃取时间、搅拌速度、温度、盐度等对萃取效率的影响.在最佳条件下,该方法的线性范围为0.05～5 mg/L,r2=0.9994,RSD为2.1%(n=6),检出限为0....