A "counter-charge layer in generalized solvents" framework for electrical double layers in neat and hybrid ionic liquid electrolytes

Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have received significant attention as electrolytes due to a number of attractive properties such as their wide electrochemical windows. Since electrical double layers (EDLs) are the cornerstone for the applications of RTILs in electrochemical systems such as supercapacitors, it is important to develop an understanding of the structure-capacitance relationships for the EDLs of these systems. Here we present a theoretical framework termed "counter-charge layer in generalized solvents" (CGS) for describing the structure and capacitance of the EDLs in neat RTILs and in RTILs mixed with different mass fractions of organic solvents. Within this framework, an EDL is made up of a counter-charge layer exactly balancing the electrode charge, and of polarized generalized solvents (in the form of layers of ion pairs, each of which has a zero net charge but has a dipole moment--the ion pairs thus can be considered as a generalized solvent) consisting of all RTILs inside the system except the counter-ions in the counter-charge layer, together with solvent molecules if present. Several key features of the EDLs that originate from the strong ion-ion correlation in RTILs, e.g., overscreening of electrode charge and alternating layering of counter-ions and co-ions, are explicitly incorporated into this framework. We show that the dielectric screening in EDLs is governed predominantly by the polarization of generalized solvents (or ion pairs) in the EDL, and the capacitance of an EDL can be related to its microstructure with few a priori assumptions or simplifications. We use this framework to understand two interesting phenomena observed in molecular dynamics simulations of EDLs in a neat IL of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF(4)]) and in a mixture of [BMIM][BF(4)] and acetonitrile (ACN): (1) the capacitance of the EDLs in the [BMIM][BF(4)]/ACN mixture increases only slightly when the mass fraction of ACN in the mixture increases from zero to 50% although the dielectric constant of bulk ACN is more than two times higher than that of neat [BMIM][BF(4)]; (2) the capacitance of EDLs near negative electrodes (with BMIM(+) ion as the counter-ion) is smaller than that near positive electrodes (with BF(4)(-) as the counter-ion) although the closest approaches of both ions to the electrode surface are nearly identical.     

Protein structure and dynamics in ionic liquids. Insights from molecular dynamics simulation studies

We present in this work the first molecular simulation study of an enzyme, the serine protease cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi, in two ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([BMIM][NO(3)]). We tested different water contents in these ILs at room temperature (298 K) and high temperature (343 K), and we observe that the enzyme structure is highly dependent on the amount of water present in the IL media. We show that the enzyme is preferentially stabilized in [BMIM][PF6] at 5-10% (w/w) (weight of water over protein) water content at room temperature. [BMIM][PF6] renders a more nativelike enzyme structure at the same water content of 5-10% (w/w) as previously found for hexane, and the system displays a similar bell-shape-like dependence with the water content in the IL media. [BMIM][PF6] is shown to increase significantly the protein thermostability at high temperatures, especially at low hydration. Our analysis indicates that the enzyme is less stabilized in [BMIM][NO(3)] relative to [BMIM][PF6] at both temperatures, most likely due to the strong affinity of the [NO(3)]- anion toward the protein main chain. These findings are in accordance with the experimental knowledge for these two ionic liquids. We also show that these ILs "strip off" most of the water from the enzyme surface in a degree similar to that found for polar organic solvents such as acetonitrile, and that the remaining waters at the enzyme surface are organized in many small clusters.     

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibria for ethanol–water system containing different ionic liquids at atmospheric pressure

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for ethanol–water systems containing ionic liquids (ILs) 1-methyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([MMIM][DMP]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([EMIM][DEP]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([BMIM][Br]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF₆]) at atmospheric pressure (101.32 kPa) were measured with a circulation still. The results showed that the VLE of ethanol–water systems in the presence of different ILs was obviously different from that of the IL-free system. All ILs studied showed a salting-out effect, which gave rise to a change of the relative volatility of ethanol, and even to an elimination of the azeotropic point. It was found that the salting-out effect followed the order of [BMIM][Cl] > [BMIM][Br] > [BMIM][PF₆] and [MMIM][DMP] > [EMIM][DEP], which was ascribed to the preferential solvation ability of the ions resulting from the dissociation of the IL.     

Headspace Single Drop Microextraction Using Micellar Ionic Liquid Extraction Solvents

A headspace single drop microextraction (SDME) method using extraction solvents comprised of micellar ionic liquids (ILs) was used to perform the extraction of 17 aromatic compounds from aqueous solution and coupled with liquid chromatography. The effects of various experimental parameters including type of micellar IL extraction solvent, stir rate, extraction time, volume of the microdroplet, and addition of organic solvent were investigated and optimized. Two different micellar solutions were formed by dissolving 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([DMIM][Br]) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]). It was observed that the enrichment factors of the 17 studied compounds were all enhanced with the micellar ionic liquid extraction solvent compared to the neat [BMIM][Cl] IL. The highest sensitivity was obtained with the [BMIM][Cl]–[DMIM][Br] micellar solution for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with high molecular weight and fused rings while the [BMIM][Cl]–SDS micellar solution was proven to be more sensitive for smaller, more polar molecules. The detection limits were lower when utilizing the [BMIM][Cl]–SDS and [BMIM][Cl]–[DMIM][Br] extraction solvents compared to the neat [BMIM][Cl] extraction solvent. The reproducibility of the extraction method at 20 °C using extraction solvents composed of [BMIM][Cl]–SDS and [BMIM][Cl]–[DMIM][Br] ranged from 6.7 to 14.0 and 4.2 to 14.7%, respectively.     

Effect of the conditions of anodizing on the morphology of nanotitania

The effect the current density, treatment time, surface pretreatment, and electrolyte composition have on the morphology of titania obtained via electrochemical treatment in such ionic liquids (ILs) as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM][NTf₂] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl is studied. The anodic formation of titania nanostructures in the form of nanotubes or nanorods is found to occur in times of up to 100 s. The role of water in the formation of these titania nanostructures is shown. Pretreatment has no effect on the morphology of the formed oxide. The formation of products that are poorly soluble in ILs (e.g., hydrated oxides) results in the emergence of a layer partially covering the open parts of nanotubes, preventing their further growth.     

A Bloembergen–Purcell–Pound <Superscript>13</Superscript>C NMR relaxation study of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

The molecular structure and rotational motion of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) were studied over a wide temperature range using the Bloembergen–Purcell–Pound ¹³C NMR spin–lattice relaxation method and NOE factors. Examination of the spin–lattice relaxation times (T ₁) and the rates (R ₁=1/T ₁) of the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation reveals the relative motions of each carbon in the imidazolium cation. The rotational characteristics of the [BMIM] cation are supported by ab-initio molecular structures of [BMIM][PF6] using density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree–Fock (HF) methods. The ab-initio gas phase structures of [BMIM][PF6] indicate that the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium C2 hydrogen, the ring methyl group, and the butyl side-chain hydrogen atoms form hydrogen bonds with the hexafluorophosphate anion.     

Kinetic study of the addition of trihalides to unsaturated compounds in ionic liquids. Evidence of a remarkable solvent effect in the reaction of ICl2-

The kinetic constants and activation parameters for the reactions of Br(3)(-) and ICl(2)(-) with some alkenes and alkynes have been determined in the ionic liquids [bmim][PF(6)], [emim][Tf(2)N], [bmim][Tf(2)N], [hmim][TF(2)N], [bm(2)im][Tf(2)N], and [bpy][TF(2)N] (where emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, hmim = 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, bm(2)im = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, bpy = butylpyridinium, PF(6) = hexafluorophosphate, and Tf(2)N = bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) and in 1,2-dichloroethane. The rates of both reactions increase on going from 1,2-dichloroethane to ILs. Evidence suggests that, while the hydrogen bonding ability of the imidazolium cation is probably the main factor able to increase the rate of the addition of ICl(2)(-) to double and triple bonds, this property has no effect on the electrophilic addition of Br(3)(-) to alkenes and alkynes. Furthermore, in the case of the ICl(2)(-) reaction, the hydrogen bonding ability of ILs can be exploited to suppress the unwanted nucleophilic substitution reaction on the products by the Cl(-) anion.     

用[BMIM][Cu2Cl3]离子液体萃取脱除汽油中的硫化物

以不同的IL（ionic liquid）/油质量比,采用[BMIM][Cu2Cl3]（[BMIM]=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium）对模型汽油和商品汽油进行单步和多步萃取脱硫实验;并合成几种具有不同阴离子和阳离子结构的离子液体,评价和比较了离子液体对商品汽油的萃取脱硫性能的影响。实验结果表明,具有较好的水稳定性和常温流动性的[BMIM] [Cu2Cl3]离子液体硫容较高,在IL/油质量比为1∶3时,经多步萃取后,油品中的硫质量分数降至20×10-6～30×10-6,累计脱硫率超过95%。汽油中其他组分对脱硫效果影响很小。[BMIM][Cu2Cl3]与汽油形成稳定的两相系统,分离方便。离子液体脱硫能力可以通过四氯化碳反萃取完全恢复。     

The thermochemistry of solvation of imidazolium-based ionic liquids in benzene

ABSTRACT

The present work is devoted to the thermochemical study of solvation of ionic liquids (IL) in benzene. The solution enthalpies of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide [EMIM][C(CN)₃], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄], 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [HMIM][PF₆], 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [OMIM][BF₄], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [EMIM][NTf₂], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM][NTf₂] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate [BMIM][TfO] in benzene were measured. The solvation enthalpies of imidazolium-based IL were calculated. Molar refractions of imidazolium-based IL form literature data on density and refractive indexes of IL were also calculated. The linear correlation between solvation enthalpy and molar refraction of IL was observed. This correlation can be used to calculate the vaporization enthalpy of imidazolium-based IL from solution calorimetry data.     

Growth of sputter-deposited gold nanoparticles in ionic liquids

The growth of gold nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by sputter deposition on an ionic liquid surface is studied in situ in the bulk phase of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [C(1)C(4)Im][N(CN)(2)], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide [C(1)C(4)Im][Tf(2)N], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C(1)C(4)Im][BF(4)], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C(1)C(4)Im][PF(6)] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate [C(1)C(4)Im][TfO]. It is found that primary nanoparticles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 nm are present in the sample immediately after sputtering. Growth of these primary particles proceeds after the end of the sputtering process and stops when the nanoparticles reach a certain size. Depending on the viscosity of the ionic liquid this growth process can proceed several hours to several days. The growth speed is fastest for the least viscous ionic liquid and follows the trend [C(1)C(4)Im][N(CN)(2)] > [C(1)C(4)Im][Tf(2)N] > [C(1)C(4)Im][TfO] > [C(1)C(4)Im][BF(4)] > [C(1)C(4)Im][PF(6)]. It is also found that a higher concentration of sputtered gold results in faster growth of the gold nanoparticles. A discussion on the growth mechanism of sputtered gold NPs is included.     

EuCl_3在氯化1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑中的电化学性质

应用循环伏安法研究了Eu3+在亲水性离子液体—氯化1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑([BMIM]Cl)中的电极过程.实验表明,工作电极为玻碳电极时,[BMIM]Cl的电化学窗口为-1.7～0.80V(vs.Ag/AgCl).Eu3+在[BMIM]Cl中被还原为Eu2+,此电极反应受电荷迁移和物质扩散共同控制.当体系温度从55℃升高到75℃时,Eu3+在[BMIM]Cl中的扩散系数D从3.75×10-9cm2/s变化到1.32×10-8cm2/s,该反应活化能Ea为62.6kJ/mol.     

Structures of ionic liquids with different anions studied by infrared vibration spectroscopy

We investigated the structures of ionic liquids (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide [BMIM][I] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF4]) and their aqueous mixtures using attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopy. The ATR spectrum in the CHx (x = 1, 2, 3) vibration region from 2800 to 3200 cm-1 was very different between [BMIM][BF4] and [BMIM][I] even though all the spectral features in this region were from the butyl chain and the imidazolium ring of the same cation. The spectrum did not change appreciably irrespective of the water concentration for [BMIM][BF4], whereas the spectrum from [BMIM][I] showed significant changes as the water concentration was increased, especially in CH-vibration modes from the imidazolium ring. For very diluted solutions both aqueous mixtures of [BMIM][I] and [BMIM][BF4] showed very similar spectra. Mixing of [BMIM][I] with heavy water (D2O) facilitated the isotopic exchange of the proton attached to the most acidic carbon of the imidazolium ring into deuterium from D2O, whereas even prolonged exposure to D2O did not induce any isotopic exchange for [BMIM][BF4]. Raman spectra around 600 cm(-1) indicative of the butyl chain conformation also changed differently as the water concentration was increased between [BMIM][I] and [BMIM][BF4]. These differences are considered to come from the variation in the position of the anion, where I- is expected to be closer to the C(2) hydrogen of the imidazolium cation and interacting more specifically as compared to BF(4-).     

Surface tension of binary mixtures of imidazolium and ammonium based ionic liquids with alcohols, or water: cation, anion effect

The surface tensions were measured at atmospheric pressure, with use of a ring tensiometer, of a series of alcoholic solutions of closely related ionic liquids: 1-methyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [MMIM][CH3SO4] in alcohol (methanol, or ethanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [BMIM][CH3SO4] in alcohol (methanol, or ethanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulfate, [BMIM][OcSO4] in alcohol (methanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K) and of 1-hexyloxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C6H(13)OCH2MIM][BF4], 1,3-dihexyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [(C6H13OCH2)2IM][BF4] in alcohol (methanol, or 1-butanol, or 1-hexanol at 308.15 and 318.5 K) and hexyl(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium bromide, C6Br in 1-octanol at 298.15 K. The set of ammonium ionic liquids of different cations and anions (C2Br, C2BF4, C2PF6, C2N(CN)2, C3Br, C4Br and C6Br) was chosen to show the influence of small amount of the ammonium ionic liquid on the surface tension of water at 298.15 K. The influence of the cation, or anion alkyl chain length on the properties under study (densities and surface tension) was tested.     

Enhanced refolding of lysozyme with imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids: Effect of hydrophobicity and sulfur residue

The expression of recombinant proteins in microorganism frequently leads to the formation of insoluble aggregates, inclusion bodies (IBs). Thus, the additional in vitro protein refolding process is required to convert inactive IBs into water-soluble active proteins. This study investigated the effect of sulfur residue and hydrophobicity of imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) on the refolding of lysozyme as a model protein in the batch dilution method which is the most commonly used refolding method. When lysozyme was refolded in the refolding buffer containing [BF4]-based RTILs with a systematic variety of alkyl chain on cations varying from two to eight, less hydrophobic imidazolium cations having shorter alkyl chains were effective to facilitate lysozyme refolding. Compared to the conventional refolding buffer, 2 times higher lysozyme refolding yield was obtained in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM][BF4]) containing refolding buffer. The refolding yield of lysozyme was even more increased by 2.5 times when 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ([BMIM][MS]) containing sulfur residue on anion was used. The sulfur residue in [BMIM][MS] is supposed to improve the refolding yield of lysozyme which has 4 intramolecular disulfide bonds. For dilution-based refolding of lysozyme, the optimum concentrations of RTILs in refolding buffer were found to be 1.0 M [EMIM][BF4] and 0.5 M [BMIM][MS], respectively. The optimum temperate for dilution-based refolding of lysozyme with RTILs was 4 °C.     

离子液体[BMIM]Br与[BMIM][BF4]配比浓度对Br-离子电荷转移的调节

利用X射线吸收精细结构光谱(XAFS)及紫外吸收光谱两种方法, 分析了离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑溴盐([BMIM]Br)中逐渐掺入1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐([BMIM][BF₄])时, Br^-阴离子与咪唑阳离子之间氢键作用及电荷偏移量的改变. 随着[BMIM][BF₄]加入量增多, Br 元素XAFS近边(XANES)显示吸收峰降低, 吸收边位置向低能端位移0.9 eV; 扩展边(EXAFS)算出径向结构显示Br 与近邻原子间平均配位数降低、平均键长增长; 紫外光谱也有明显蓝移减色效应. 这些结果都表明Br₄^-的掺入改变了Br^-与阳离子间的电荷偏移量, 负电荷更多地转移到Br^-上, 量化计算的数据同样支持该结论.     

Sum frequency generation study of the room-temperature ionic liquids/quartz interface

The purpose of this investigation is to study the ionic liquid/quartz interface with sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG). SFG spectroscopy was chosen for this study because of its unique ability to yield vibrational spectra of molecules at an interface. Different polarization combinations are used, which probe different susceptibilities, giving SFG the ability to determine molecular orientation at the interface. The ionic liquids used were 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM][BF(4)], and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF(6)]. To determine the influence of the molecular structure and charge on orientation at the interface, neutral, 1-methylimidazole, and 1-butylimidazole were also studied. Raman spectra and depolarization ratios were obtained for neat samples of 1-methylimidazole, 1-butylimidazole, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate recorded from 2700 to 3300 cm(-1). SFG spectra of the 1-methylimidazole/quartz interface showed both methyl and aromatic C-H vibrations. Orientation calculations determined that the ring of the molecule is tilted 45-68 degrees from normal, with the methyl group oriented 32-35 degrees from normal. The SFG spectra of 1-butylimidazole contain several resonances from the alkyl chain with only one weak resonance from the aromatic ring. Orientation calculations suggest that the ring is lying in the plane of the surface with the methyl group pointing 43-47 degrees from normal. The orientation of the [BMIM][PF(6)] ionic liquid was sensitive to trace amounts of water and had to be evacuated to <3 x 10(-5) Torr for the water to be removed. SFG spectra of both ionic liquids were similar, displaying resonances from the alkyl chain as well as the aromatic ring. Orientation analysis suggests the aromatic ring was tilted 45-90 degrees from normal for [BMIM][BF(4)], while the ring for [BMIM][PF(6)] was tilted 38-58 degrees from normal. This suggests the orientation of the molecule is influenced by the size of the anion.     

The physicochemical properties of some imidazolium-based ionic liquids and their binary mixtures

The density, viscosity and conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([omim][BF4]), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([omim][Cl]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([hmim] BF4]), 1-hexyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([hmim][Cl]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([hmim][PF6]), and the [omim][BF4] + [omim][Cl], [hmim][BF4] + [hmim][Cl], and [hmim][PF6] + [hmim][Cl] binary mixtures were studied at dif- ferent temperatures. It was demonstrated that the densities of both the neat ILs and their mixtures varied linearly with temper- ature. The density sensitivity of a binary mixture is between those of the two components. The excess molar volumes (VE) of [hmim][BF4] + [hmim][Cl] and [hmim][PF6] + [hmim][Cl] mixtures are positive in the whole composition range. For [omim][BF4] + [omim][Cl], the VE is also positive in the [omim][Cl]-rich region, but is negative in the [omim][BF4]-rich re- gion. The viscosity or conductivity of a mixture is in the intermediate of those of the two neat ILs. For all the neat ILs and the binary mixtures studied, the order of conductivity is opposite to that of the viscosity. The Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equations can be used to fit the viscosity and conductivity of all the neat ILs and the binary mixtures. The neat ILs and their mixtures obey the Fractional Walden Rule very well, and the values of the Walden slopes are all smaller than unit, indicating obvious ion associations in the neat ILs and the binary mixtures.     

High-pressure infrared spectroscopy of ionic liquids mixed with Tween 80

In this study, the possibility of using Tween 80 to disturb the microstructures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF₄) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF₆) was investigated under high pressures. The imidazolioum C H absorptions of pure ionic liquids (ILs) are significantly blue-shifted under high pressures. However, mild changes in imidazolioum C H stretching frequencies were observed for IL/Tween 80 mixtures. Tween 80 may hinder cations of ILs to form network structures with anions under high pressures via pressure-enhanced cation-Tween 80 interactions. Based on the experimental results, Tween 80-[BMIM]PF₆ interactions are more effective in disturbing the local structure of imidazolium C H than Tween 80-[BMIM]BF₄ interactions.     

Metal-organic framework supported ionic liquid membranes for CO2 capture: anion effects

IRMOF-1 supported ionic liquid (IL) membranes are investigated for CO(2) capture by atomistic simulation. The ILs consist of identical cation 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [BMIM](+), but four different anions, namely hexafluorophosphate [PF(6)](-), tetrafluoroborate [BF(4)](-), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Tf(2)N](-), and thiocyanate [SCN](-). As compared with the cation, the anion has a stronger interaction with IRMOF-1 and a more ordered structure in IRMOF-1. The small anions [PF(6)](-), [BF(4)](-), and [SCN](-) prefer to locate near to the metal-cluster, particularly the quasi-spherical [PF(6)](-) and [BF(4)](-). In contrast, the bulky and chain-like [BMIM](+) and [Tf(2)N](-) reside near the phenyl ring. Among the four anions, [Tf(2)N](-) has the weakest interaction with IRMOF-1 and thus the strongest interaction with [BMIM](+). With increasing the weight ratio of IL to IRMOF-1 (W(IL/IRMOF-1)), the selectivity of CO(2)/N(2) at infinite dilution is enhanced. At a given W(IL/IRMOF-1), the selectivity increases as [Tf(2)N](-) < [PF(6)](-) < [BF(4)](-) < [SCN](-). This hierarchy is predicted by the COSMO-RS method, and largely follows the order of binding energy between CO(2) and anion estimated by ab initio calculation. In the [BMIM][SCN]/IRMOF-1 membrane with W(IL/IRMOF-1) = 1, [SCN](-) is identified to be the most favorable site for CO(2) adsorption. [BMIM][SCN]/IRMOF-1 outperforms polymer membranes and polymer-supported ILs in CO(2) permeability, and its performance surpasses Robeson's upper bound. This simulation study reveals that the anion has strong effects on the microscopic properties of ILs and suggests that MOF-supported ILs are potentially intriguing for CO(2) capture.     

Estimates of Internal Pressure and Molar Refraction of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids as a Function of Temperature

Estimates of the internal pressure (∂ U/∂ V) _T of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF₆], and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [OMIM][BF₄] were made from experimentally determined densities and speeds of sound in the temperature range 283.15 to 343.15 K. Values (∂ U/∂ V) _T for all the ILs studied are higher than those of water and molecular organic liquids. We also measured the refractive indices n _D in the temperature range 288.15 to 343.15 K and estimated the molar refraction R _M. Refractive indices of ILs were also higher than those of normal organic liquids but were comparable to those of long hydrocarbon chain organic solvents.