An ionic force-field study of monomers, dimers and higher polymers in pentafluoride vapors

Pentafluoride compounds such as NbF₅ and TaF₅ have been reported in the literature to admit various states of polymerization coexisting with monomers in their vapor phase, in relative concentrations that vary with temperature and pressure. We construct a microscopic interionic force-field model for the molecular monomer of these compounds (including VF₅, SbF₅ and MoF₅ in addition to NbF₅ and TaF₅), the stable form of the monomer being in the shape of a D_3h trigonal bipyramid in all cases. The model emulates chemical bonds by allowing for electrical and short-range overlap polarizabilities of the fluorines, and is used to evaluate the structure and the stability of (MF₅)_n molecules with n running from 2 to 6. The dimer is formed by two distorted edge-sharing octahedral, while the trimer and the higher polymers can form rings of distorted corner-sharing octahedra. A chain-like configuration is also found for the trimer of NbF₅, which consists of a seven-fold coordinated Nb bonded to two distorted octahedra via edge sharing. Comparison of calculated vibrational frequencies and bond lengths with experimental data is made whenever possible. We find that there is a small net gain of energy in the formation of a dimer, while otherwise the static energy of the n-mer is very close to that of n separated monomers. High sensitivity of the state of molecular aggregation to the thermodynamic conditions of the vapor is clearly indicated by our calculations.     

Studies on electrowetting of room temperature ionic liquids

This paper reports experimental investigations on the electrowetting behavior of ionic liquids in comparison with aqueous electrolytes, which is one of the important research topics in optofluidics. The effect of applied voltage on the contact angle is reported in detail. In addition, the liquid–solid material interfacial tension and the thickness of insulating layer are estimated under certain conditions. Related conclusions are valuable in the field of future electrowetting applications.     

Unusual aspects of ion‐pairing effects in room temperature ionic liquids

Herein, we report our observations on voltammetric investigations about the redox behaviour of para‐nitrotoluene, 1,4‐benzoquinone and ferrocene, aimed at exploring the unusual aspects of ion‐pairing phenomena in imidazolium‐based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). Our observations indicate that the stabilization of electrogenerated ion/radical ion intermediates depends upon the potential of the working electrode and the overall composition of RTILs. In light of observed relative trends and quantum mechanical calculations, we propose that the ion‐pair stabilization of electrogenerated charged species in RTILs is closely related to the structural organization and composition of electrode/RTIL interface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electronic structures of imidazolium-based ionic liquids

Electronic structures of ionic liquids formed by 1-buthyl-3-alkylimidazolium ion [C_nmim]⁺ (n = 4 and 8) with various inorganic and organic anions have been investigated by ultraviolet photoemission, X-ray photoemission, inverse photoemission and soft X-ray emission spectroscopies (SXES). The comparison of the calculated density of states with the observed spectra revealed that the molecular orbital energies of these ionic liquids are significantly affected by the electrostatic Madelung potential among the ions. The SXES results clearly show that the both highest occupied and lowest unoccupied states of [C₄mim]⁺PF₆⁻ are derived from the cation as a result of strong Madelung potential. On the other hand, the SXES results show the valence electronic structures of ionic liquids with larger anion molecules, [C_nmim]⁺Tf₂N⁻ and [C_nmim]⁺OTf⁻ are contributed from the both cation and anion.     

Characterization of solid electrolytes prepared from ionic glass and ionic liquid for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Glassy solid electrolytes were prepared by combining the 50Li₂SO₄·50Li₃BO₃ (mol%) ionic glass and the 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMI]BF₄) ionic liquid. High-energy ball milling was carried out for the mixture of the inorganic ionic glass and the organic ionic liquid. The ambient temperature conductivity of the glass electrolyte with 10 mol% [EMI]BF₄ was 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, which was three orders of magnitude higher than that of the 50Li₂SO₄·50Li₃BO₃ glass. The addition of [EMI]BF₄ to the ionic glass decreased glass transition temperature (T_g) of the glass and the decrease of T_g is closely related to the enhancement of conductivity of the glass. Morphology and local structure of the glass electrolyte was characterized. The dissolution of an ionic liquid in an ionic glass with Li⁺ ion conductivity is a novel way to developing glass electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium secondary batteries.     

Synergic effects of ultrasound and ionic liquids on fluconazole emulsion

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of US on the properties of the fluconazole emulsions prepared using imidazolium-based ILs ([C_n C₁im]Br). The effects of the preparation method (mechanical stirring or US), US amplitude, alkyl chain length (of [C₁₂C₁im]Br or [C₁₆C₁im]Br), and IL concentration on the physicochemical properties were evaluated. Properties such as droplet size, span index, morphology, viscosity encapsulation efficiency, and drug release profile were determined. The results showed that US-prepared emulsions had a smaller droplet size and smaller polydispersity (Span) than those prepared by mechanical stirring. Additionally, the results showed that emulsions prepared with [C₁₆C₁im]Br and US had spherical shapes and increased stability compared to emulsions prepared by MS, and also depended on the IL concentration. The emulsion prepared by US at 40% amplitude had increased encapsulation efficiency. US provided a decrease in the viscosity of emulsions containing [C₁₂C₁im]Br; however, in general, all emulsions had viscosity close to that of water. Emulsions containing [C₁₆C₁im]Br had the lowest viscosities of all the emulsions. The emulsions containing the IL [C₁₆C₁im]Br had more controlled release and a lower cumulative percentage of drug release. The IL concentration required to prepare these emulsions was lower than the amount of conventional surfactant required, which highlights the potential synergic effects of ILs and US in preparing emulsions of hydrophobic drugs.     

Effect of monocationic ionic liquids as electrolyte additives on the electrochemical and thermal properties of Li-ion batteries

The conventional electrolyte system has been compared with the ionic liquid (IL) additive containing electrolyte system at room temperature as well as elevated temperature. In this work, two types of monocationic ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium hexafluorophosphate (Pyr IL) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (IMI IL) are added as an additive at two different weight ratios in 1.15 M LiPF₆ (EC/EMC = 3/7 v/v) electrolyte solution, the structural, electrochemical and thermal characteristics of LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ (NCA)/carbon full-cell in different electrolyte formulations have been reconnoitered. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have proved that IL as an electrolyte additive does not alter the structural stability of cathode materials after cycling. Under room temperature, Pyr IL additives at 1 wt% and 3 wt% deliver better cycleability than others, with the retention ratios of 93.62% and 92.8%, respectively. At elevated temperature, only 1 wt% Pyr IL additive is giving stable capacity retention ratio of 80.74%. Ionic conductivity and self-extinguishing time (SET) values are increasing with respect to the amount of additive added to the electrolyte. Thermal studies reveal that 3 wt% Pyr IL is favorable regarding the safety of the battery as it shows shifting of peak to higher temperature of 272.10 °C. Among the IL additives evaluated in this study, addition of 1 wt% Pyr IL is the most desirable additive for achieving the best cycling performance as well as thermal behavior of Li-ion batteries.     

Synthesis of ZnO nanostructures with controlled morphology and size in ionic liquids

Nanostructured ZnO has been synthesized by a hydrothermal route, using different ionic liquids (ILs) as the morphology templates. The morphology of ZnO changes from rod-like to star-like and flower-like in different ILs. A 3D nano/micro structure ZnO with unique flower-like morphology has been synthesized via the assembly of dicationic IL and [Zn(OH)₄]²⁻. The flower-like pattern was obtained in the presence of IL 1. The flower-like ZnO structure has a hexagonal prism, with a hexagonal pyramid on the tip, and diameter of ~444 nm. While the ZnO prepared in IL 2, shows uniform rod-like shape with a diameter of 91 nm, star-like morphology consisting of nanorods with diameter of ~109 nm was formed in IL 3. The XRD, SEM, and PL spectra have been employed for characterization of the synthesized ZnO nano structures.     

Electroreduction of N-methylphthalimide in room temperature ionic liquids under insonated and silent conditions

The selective electroreduction N-methylphthalimide to 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-isoindolin-1-one has been performed in ionic liquids using phenol as a proton donor under silent and ultrasonic conditions. A significant increase in the rate of electroreduction is shown using ultrasonic activation and in addition high current efficiencies were observed. Some decomposition of the ionic liquid was found to have occurred under exposure to ultrasound.     

Temperature effect on the molecular interactions between two ammonium ionic liquids and dimethylsulfoxide

To understand the molecular interactions between newly synthesized ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) and highly polar solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), precise measurements such as densities (ρ), ultrasonic sound velocities (u) and viscosities (η) have been performed over the whole composition range at temperature ranging from 298.15 to 308.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. The ILs investigated in the present study included diethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₂NH][CH₃COO], DEAA) and triethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₃NH][CH₃COO], TEAA). Further, to gain some insight into the nature of molecular interactions in these mixed solvents, we predicted the excess molar volume (V^E), the deviation in isentropic compressibilities (ΔK_s) and deviation in viscosity (Δη) as a function of the concentration of IL using the measured properties of ρ, u and η, respectively. Redlich-Kister polynomial was used to correlate the results. The intermolecular interactions and structural effects were analyzed on the basis of the measured and the derived properties. A qualitative analysis of the results is discussed in terms of the ion-dipole, ion-pair interactions, and hydrogen bonding between ILs and DMSO molecules and their structural factors.     

An existence of universality in the dynamics of two types of glass-forming liquids - fragile liquids and strong liquids

By employing a simplified nonlinear memory function proposed recently by the present author, a universal equation for a collective-intermediate scattering function derived based on the time-convolutionless mode-coupling theory is numerically solved to study the dynamics of glass-forming liquids. The numerical calculation is done based on the simulation results performed on two types of liquids, fragile liquids and strong liquids. Those are then shown to be uniquely determined by the long-time collective diffusion coefficient $D(q_m)$, where $q_m$ is a first peak position of a static structure factor for a whole system. Thus, there exists such a universality that there is only one solution for different liquids of a same type at a given value of D. This may be consistent with the fact that strong liquids are structurally quite different from fragile liquids. Finally, it is emphasized that such a universality must be helpful to predict $q_m$ from experimental data.     

Modelling interfacial properties of ionic liquids with ePC-SAFT combined with density gradient theory

Highlights

• Combination of ePC-SAFT with density gradient theory

• Calculation of interfacial properties of pure ILs in broad temperature range

• Quantitative predictions of surface tensions for ILs not used in κ parameter fitting

     

The physical properties of aqueous solution of room-temperature ionic liquids based on imidazolium: Database and evaluation

We report the systematic studies of the physical properties of systems involving imidazolium based ionic liquids and water. The measurements of density ρ, refractive index Δ_n, viscosity η, specific conductance κ and surface tension γ were made over the whole concentration range. The equivalent conductivity Λ_m was calculated. The physical properti`es of the solutions changed with the change of association between ionic liquid and water. The physical properties of the solutions also vary with the alkyl length on the cation and polarity of anion.     

Thermodynamic properties of the mixtures of some ionic liquids with alcohols using a simple equation of state

In the present work, we have used a simple equation of state called the GMA EoS to calculate the density of three ionic liquid mixtures including 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolum hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM] [PF₆] + methanol, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolum tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM] [BF₄] + methanol, and [BMIM] [BF₄] + ethanol at different temperatures, pressures, and compositions. The isothermal compressibility, excess molar volumes, and excess Gibbs molar energy of these mixtures have been computed using this equation of state. The values of statistical parameters show that the GMA EoS can predict these thermodynamic properties very well within the experimental errors. The results show that isothermal compressibility of ionic liquids is lower than alcohols and the effect of temperature and pressure on the isothermal compressibility of ionic liquids is lower than alcohols. The excess molar volumes and excess molar Gibbs energy for these ionic liquid mixtures with alcohols are all negative at various temperatures and pressures over the whole composition range. The results have been interpreted in terms of intermolecular interactions and structural factors of the ionic liquids and alcohols.     

Physicochemical properties of ionic liquids based on imidazolium/pyrrolidinium cations and maleate/phthalate anions

Ionic liquids (ILs) based on imidazolium/pyrrolidinium cations and maleate/phthalate anions can be used as excellent electrolyte materials for electrolytic capacitors. In this study, we synthesized four ILs of this family and investigated their thermal behaviors, ionic conductivities and sparking voltages. The four ILs have high thermal stability for capacitor requirements. The conductivities of imidazolium ILs are slightly higher than those of pyrrolidinium analogs and the conductivities of maleate anion-based ILs are higher than those of corresponding phthalate anion-based ILs. Besides, the long-term thermal stability of imidazolium ILs in conductivity is superior to that of pyrrolidinium analogs. Whereas the long-term thermal stability of phthalate anion-based ILs is better than that of corresponding maleate anion-based ILs. The influence of cationic structure of the ILs on conductivity was analyzed. The temperature dependence of conductivity was also discussed in this work. The Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation accurately describes the temperature dependence of conductivity for the ILs. In addition, the result of sparking voltage measurement shows that neither Ikonopisov nor Albella model is valid for the ILs.     

Study of tribochemical decomposition of ionic liquids on a nascent steel surface

Tribological properties and the decomposition process of ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide) on a nascent surface of bearing steel 52100 were investigated by a ball-on-disk friction tester in a vacuum chamber equipped with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (Q-MS). Ionic liquids exhibited better tribological properties than synthetic hydrocarbon oil (multialkylated cyclopentane (MAC)) in high vacuum conditions. The induction period for decomposition of MAC was about 10 km, while no obvious gaseous products were observed for ionic liquids even after a sliding distance of 22 km under the same mechanical conditions. The mass spectra indicated that both the anionic and cationic moieties of ionic liquids decomposed on the nascent steel surface during friction processes. The cationic moiety with a longer alkyl chain was more difficult to decompose on the nascent steel surface than that with a shorter alkyl chain. XPS analysis revealed that the tribofilm formed by ionic liquid was mainly composed of FeF₂ and FeS, which deactivated the nascent surface. As a result, desorption rate of gaseous products decreased appreciably comparing with MAC. The critical load for the mechanical activation of the decomposition correspondingly increased from 1.1 N of MAC to 8 N of ionic liquids.     

Dynamics of supercooled liquids and understanding the glass transition

The self-consistent mode coupling theory of glass transition is briefly reviewed. The existance of a temperature T_c, higher than the usual calorimetric glass transition temperature, across which the dynamics of the fluid becomes quite different are indicated through different experimental results. Above T_c the viscosity tends to diverge with a power law while for lower temperature this sharp transition is cutoff. Such changes in the transport properties can be understood from the self-consistent mode coupling theory. The relaxation functions predicted by the mode-coupling theory over different time scales are indicated. The models with proper wave-vector dependence are also discussed.     

Phase behaviors of ionic liquids attributed to the dual ionic and organic nature

Ionic liquids (ILs), also known as room-temperature molten salts, are solely composed of ions with melting points usually below 100 °C. Because of their low volatility and vast amounts of species, ILs can serve as ‘green solvents' and ‘designer solvents' to meet the requirements of various applications by fine-tuning their molecular structures. A good understanding of the phase behaviors of ILs is certainly fundamentally important in terms of their wide applications. This review intends to summarize the major conclusions so far drawn on phase behaviors of ILs by computational, theoretical, and experimental studies, illustrating the intrinsic relationship between their dual ionic and organic nature and the crystalline phases, nanoscale segregation liquid phase, IL crystal phases, as well as phase behaviors of their mixture with small organic molecules.