The electrochemical stability of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents

Room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) composed of cations and anions, as well as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs), are regarded as green solvents due to their low volatility. They have been used widely for electrochemically driven reactions because they exhibit high conductivity and excellent electrochemical stability. However, no systematic investigations on the electrochemical potential windows (EPWs), which could be used to characterize the electrochemical stability, have been reported. In this regard, the EPWs of 33 ILs and 23 DESs have been studied utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV) method and the effects of structural factors (cations and anions of ILs, and HBDs and HBAs of DESs) and external factors (electrode, water content) on the EPWs have been comprehensively investigated. The electrochemical stability of selected ILs comprising five traditional cations, namely imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium and ammonium and 13 kinds of versatile anions was studied. The results show that for ILs, both cation and anion play an important role on the reductive and oxidative potential limit. For a same IL at different working electrode, for example, glassy carbon (GC), gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) electrode, the largest potential window is almost observed on the GC working electrode. The investigations on the EPWs of choline chloride (ChCl), choline bromide (ChBr), choline iodide (ChI), and methyl urea based DESs show that the DES composed of ChCl and methyl urea has the largest potential window. This work may aid the selection of ILs or DESs for use as a direct electrolyte or a solvent in electrochemical applications.     

A Comprehensive Study of CO2 Absorption and Desorption by Choline-Chloride/Levulinic-Acid-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents

Amine absorption (or amine scrubbing) is currently the most established method for CO₂ capture; however, it has environmental shortcomings and is energy-intensive. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are an interesting alternative to conventional amines. Due to their biodegradability, lower toxicity and lower prices, DESs are considered to be “more benign” absorbents for CO₂ capture than ionic liquids. In this work, the CO₂ absorption capacity of choline-chloride/levulinic-acid-based (ChCl:LvAc) DESs was measured at different temperatures, pressures and stirring speeds using a vapour–liquid equilibrium rig. DES regeneration was performed using a heat treatment method. The DES compositions studied had ChCl:LvAc molar ratios of 1:2 and 1:3 and water contents of 0, 2.5 and 5 mol%. The experimental results showed that the CO₂ absorption capacity of the ChCl:LvAc DESs is strongly affected by the operating pressure and stirring speed, moderately affected by the temperature and minimally affected by the hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA):hydrogen bond donator (HBD) molar ratio as well as water content. Thermodynamic properties for CO₂ absorption were calculated from the experimental data. The regeneration of the DESs was performed at different temperatures, with the optimal regeneration temperature estimated to be 80 °C. The DESs exhibited good recyclability and moderate CO₂/N₂ selectivity.     

Solubilities of carbon dioxide in the eutectic mixture of levulinic acid (or furfuryl alcohol) and choline chloride

The solubilities of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the renewable deep eutectic solvents (DESs) containing levulinic acid (or furfuryl alcohol) and choline chloride were determined at temperatures (303.15, 313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K and pressures up to 600.0 kPa using an isochoric saturation method. The mole ratios of levulinic acid (or furfuryl alcohol) to choline chloride were fixed at 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1. Standard Gibbs free energy, dissolution enthalpy and dissolution entropy were calculated from Henry’s law constant of CO₂ in the DESs. Results indicated that levulinic acid based DESs are more effective to capture CO₂ than furfuryl alcohol based ones. The solubility of CO₂ in the DESs increased with increasing mole ratio of levulinic acid (or furfuryl alcohol) to choline chloride as well as pressure and decreased with increasing temperature.     

Utilization of Deep Eutectic Solvents to Reduce the Release of Hazardous Gases to the Atmosphere: A Critical Review

The release of certain gases to the atmosphere is controlled in many countries owing to their negative impact on the environment and human health. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia (NH₃). Considering the major contribution of greenhouse gases to global warming and climate change, mitigation of these gases is one of the world’s primary challenges. Nevertheless, the commercial processes used to capture these gases suffer from several drawbacks, including the use of volatile solvents, generation of hazardous byproducts, and high-energy demand. Research in green chemistry has resulted in the synthesis of potentially green solvents that are non-toxic, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are novel solvents that upon wise choice of their constituents can be green and tunable with high biocompatibility, high degradability, and low cost. Consequently, the capture of toxic gases by DESs is promising and environmentally friendly and has attracted much attention during the last decade. Here, we review recent results on capture of these gases using different types of DESs. The effect of different parameters, such as chemical structure, molar ratio, temperature, and pressure, on capture efficiency is discussed.     

低共熔溶剂的热稳定性研究

近年来,低共熔溶剂(DESs)引起了人们的广泛关注,在诸多领域得到应用。DESs一般由氢键供体(HBDs)和氢键受体(HBAs)通过氢键作用形成,其热稳定性研究对于其高温应用具有重要意义。本文利用热重分析法(TG)对40种DESs的热稳定性进行了系统研究,并得到了所研究DESs的开始分解温度(T_onset)。值得注意的是,DESs受热后的变化情况与离子液体不同,呈现出分阶段失重的现象。通常形成DESs的氢键在升温后首先被破坏,从而导致DESs分解成组成其的HBDs和HBAs。然后热稳定性较差(或者沸点较低)的HBDs首先分解(或挥发),而HBAs则在更高温度下分解(或挥发)。例如常见的HBA氯化胆碱(ChCl)在250 ℃附近开始分解。氢键强度对DESs受热后的表现起着重要的作用,DESs中的氢键会阻碍分子“逃脱”,使得T_onset向高温方向移动。此外,我们考察了阴离子、氢键供体、摩尔比对DESs热稳定性的影响,发现HBDs自身的挥发或分解对DESs的热稳定性起着决定性作用。由于用T_onset值会高估DESs的热稳定性,长期热稳定性的考察对其工业应用具有重要价值。本研究能帮助人们理解DESs的热分解行为,为制备具有适当热稳定性的DESs提供依据。     

Computer‐Assisted Design of Imidazolate‐Based Ionic Liquids for Improving Sulfur Dioxide Capture,Carbon Dioxide Capture,and Sulfur Dioxide/Carbon Dioxide Selectivity

A new strategy involving the computer‐assisted design of substituted imidazolate‐based ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the absorption enthalpy as well as the basicity of the ILs to improve SO₂ capture, CO₂ capture, and SO₂/CO₂ selectivity was explored. The best substituted imidazolate‐based ILs as absorbents for different applications were first predicted. During absorption, high SO₂ capacities up to ≈5.3 and 2.4 mol mol_IL⁻¹ could be achieved by ILs with the methylimidazolate anions under 1.0 and 0.1 bar (1 bar=0.1 MPa), respectively, through tuning multiple N ⋅⋅⋅ S interactions between SO₂ and the N atoms in the imidazolate anion with different substituents. In addition, CO₂ capture by the imidazolate‐based ILs could also be easily tuned through changing the substituents of the ILs, and 4‐bromoimidazolate IL showed a high CO₂ capacity but a low absorption enthalpy. Furthermore, a high selectivity for SO₂/CO₂ could be reached by IL with 4,5‐dicyanoimidazolate anion owing to its high SO₂ capacity but low CO₂ capacity. The results put forward in this work are in good agreement with the predictions. Quantum‐chemical calculations and FTIR and NMR spectroscopy analysis methods were used to discuss the SO₂ and CO₂ absorption mechanisms.     

Why do ammonium salt/phenol-based deep eutectic solvents show low viscosity?

The viscosity of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) plays an important role in determining how they are used industrially. In order to gain a deeper insight into the parameters which affect the viscosity of ionic DES, a series of systems composed of ammonium salts and two types of representative donors were prepared and characterized. They were investigated by quantum-chemistry calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The viscosity of phenol/4-methylphenol-based system is much lower than that of glycolic acid-based system. Moreover, DESs containing glycolic acid exhibit higher activation energy values compared with DESs containing phenolics. It was found the existence of a strong charge transfer complex between glycolic acid and ammonium salt, thus suggesting its vital role in the fluidity difference of studied mixtures. The hydrogen bonds of glycolic acid-based system are partially covalent and partially electrostatic, manifested via atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis. Additionally, Cl^??HO_{phenolic hydroxyl} is expected to be less covalent than Cl^??HO_carboxyl, which is also identified by lower delocalization index in the AIM basin. The interaction network stability of glycolic acid-based DES is more robust than that of phenolics-based one due to the strong covalency of hydrogen bond. This is the main reason that ammonium salt/phenol-based DESs show low viscosity. This work gives new perspectives on more rational design of novel DES with low viscosity.     

Computer‐Aided Design of Ionic Liquids as CO2 Absorbents

Ionic liquids (ILs), vary strongly in their interaction with CO₂. We suggest simple theoretical approach to predict the CO₂ absorption behavior of ILs. Strong interaction of the CO₂ with the IL anions corresponds to chemical absorption whereas weak interaction indicates physical absorption. A predictive estimate with a clear distinction between physical and chemical absorption can be simply obtained according to geometries optimized in the presence of a solvation model instead of optimizing it only in gas phase as has been done to date. The resulting Gibbs free energies compare very well with experimental values and the energies were correlated with experimental capacities. Promising anions, for ionic liquids with reversible CO₂ absorption properties can be defined by a reaction Gibbs free energy of absorption in the range of ?30 to 16 kJ mol^?1.     

Polyoxometalate-based ionic liquids-promoted CO2 conversion

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a class of molecular metal oxides, showing numerous applications in various chemical processes due to their unique acid/base and redox features. By adjusting the tunable molecular structures of the anions and counter cations, plenty of POM-based ionic liquids (POM-based ILs) have been fabricated to be used in various fields, such as catalysis, structural chemistry and material science. As a class of excellent catalysts, POM-based ILs have shown advantages in the emerging field of CO₂ utilization such as CO₂ capture, cycloaddition of CO₂ to epoxides, and reduction of CO₂, owing to the efficient activation of CO₂ by POM anions. This review summarizes recent advances in the catalysis of POM-based ILs, and particularly highlights the areas that are related to CO₂ conversion.     

低共熔溶剂：一种应用在混合物分离过程中的绿色溶剂

低共熔溶剂(DESs)因具有合成容易、价格低廉、环境友好、挥发性低、溶解能力强、可生物降解、结构可设计等特点,被认为是一种绿色溶剂。近年来,研究者通过深入研究低共熔溶剂的性质,结合低共熔溶剂的特点,将其替代传统的有机溶剂,在混合物分离过程中开展了大量的研究工作,包括：酸性气体(如CO₂、CO₂和H₂S)吸收、生物活性物质萃取、燃料油品中含硫和含氮化合物的脱除、油酚混合物分离、芳烃和脂肪烃混合物的分离、醇水混合物分离、生物柴油合成过程中甘油的脱除等。本文分析了低共熔溶剂的结构、性质和特点,综述了低共熔溶剂在分离领域的最新研究成果,探讨了低共熔溶剂在混合物分离应用中存在的问题,展望了低共熔溶剂的发展趋势。     

Novel diethanolamine based deep eutectic mixtures for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture: synthesis and characterisation

In this work, diethanolamine was successfully used as a hydrogen bond donor to prepare three different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) using three quaternary ammonium salts at different molar ratios. Important physical properties of the prepared DESs including melting point, glass transition, crystallisation temperature, density, refractive index and viscosity were measured in temperature ranging from (298.15 to 358.15 K). Moreover, in order to explore the changes in chemical structures of the DESs, FTIR analysis was performed. The developed DESs have melting points lower than 293.15 K, and of significantly low density (close to water) and comparable viscosity. The effect of temperature and molar ratio on physical properties were also discussed. Empirical models were used to correlate the density, refractive index and viscosity data of the DESs as a function of temperature and molar ratio. A quantitative analysis, also called as ANOVA analysis, was conducted to investigate the significance of the experimental physical properties data. The new DESs prepared in this work have a potential to be used in numerous applications including CO₂ capture.     

Basic ionic liquids promoted chemical transformation of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> to organic carbonates

Ionic liquids (ILs), especially basic ILs with unique physicochemical properties, have wide application in catalysis. Using basic ILs as catalysts for the conversion of cheap, abundant, nontoxic, and renewable CO₂ into value-added organic carbonates is highly significant in view of environmental and economic issues. This review aims at giving a detailed overview on the recent advances on basic ILs promoted chemical transformation of CO₂ to cyclic and linear carbonates. The structures of various basic ILs, as well as the basic ILs promoted reactions for the transformation of CO₂ to organic carbonates are discussed in detail, including the reaction conditions, the yields of target products, the catalytic activities of basic ILs and the reaction mechanism.     

Topological engineering of two-dimensional ionic liquid islands for high structural stability and CO2 adsorption selectivity

Ionic liquids (ILs) as green solvents and catalysts are highly attractive in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering. Their interfacial assembly structure and function are still far less well understood. Herein, we use coupling first-principles and molecular dynamics simulations to resolve the structure, properties, and function of ILs deposited on the graphite surface. Four different subunits driven by hydrogen bonds are identified first, and can assemble into close-packed and sparsely arranged annular 2D IL islands (2DIIs). Meanwhile, we found that the formation energy and HOMO–LUMO gap decrease exponentially as the island size increases via simulating a series of 2DIIs with different topological features. However, once the size is beyond the critical value, both the structural stability and electrical structure converge. Furthermore, the island edges are found to be dominant adsorption sites for CO₂ and better than other pure metal surfaces, showing an ultrahigh adsorption selectivity (up to 99.7%) for CO₂ compared with CH₄, CO, or N₂. Such quantitative structure–function relations of 2DIIs are meaningful for engineering ILs to efficiently promote their applications, such as the capture and conversion of CO₂.

Multi-scale simulations reveal the structure and properties of the two-dimensional ionic liquid islands supported by graphite, and the island edges show an ultrahigh adsorption selectivity for CO₂ compared with CH₄, CO, or N₂.     

Experimental nibble for computational chemists: On the construction and CO2 capture by different zeolite imidazole ester framework-8 and ionic

The combination of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and ionic liquids (ILs) to create porous ionic liquids (PILs) is highly significant for efficient carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and the advancement of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. To further investigate the CO₂ capture characteristics of different PILs, two different-sized ZIF-8 structures and two functionalized ILs were prepared. Additionally, the enhancement factor of the reaction process was calculated using the dual-film theory and mass transfer coefficient. The results demonstrated that the original [PMIm]Cl had low CO₂ absorption capacity at ambient temperature and pressure, whereas the functionalized ILs had a maximum CO₂ capture capacity of approximately .31 mol/mol, with the 20 wt% concentration of tetraethylene pentamine-2-methylimidazole ([TEP][MIm]) exhibiting the highest CO₂ capture capacity of around 1.93 mol/mol. The synthesized PILs demonstrated a maximum CO₂ capture capacity of approximately 2.22 and 2.16 mol/mol at 20 and 10 wt% ionic concentrations, respectively, with a porous ionic liquid addition of 1.0/100 g. The corresponding enhancement factors were 1.53 and 1.59, respectively. These findings have significant implications for CCUS technology.     

Solvent Effects on the 1H-NMR Chemical Shifts of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids

The ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectrum is a useful tool for characterizing the hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions in ionic liquids (ILs). As the main hydrogen bond (H-bond) donor of imidazolium-based ILs, the chemical shift (δ_H2) of the proton in the 2-position of the imidazolium ring (H2) exhibits significant and complex solvents, concentrations and anions dependence. In the present work, based on the dielectric constants (ϵ) and Kamlet-Taft (KT) parameters of solvents, we identified that the δ_H2 are dominated by the solvents polarity and the competitive H-bonding interactions between cations and anions or solvents. Besides, the solvents effects on δ_H2 are understood by the structure of ILs in solvents: 1) In diluted solutions of inoizable solvents, ILs exist as free ions and the cations will form H-bond with solvents, resulting in δ_H2 being independent with anions but positively correlated with β_S. 2) In diluted solutions of non-ionzable solvents, ILs exist as contact ion-pairs (CIPs) and H2 will form H-bond with anions. Since non-ionizable solvents hardly influence the H-bonding interactions between H2 and anions, the δ_H2 are not related to β_S but positively correlated with β_IL.     

Thermo- and Photocatalytic Activation of CO2 in Ionic Liquids Nanodomains

Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered to be potential material devices for CO₂ capturing and conversion to energy-adducts. They form a cage (confined-space) around the catalyst providing an ionic nano-container environment which serves as physical-chemical barrier that selectively controls the diffusion of reactants, intermediates, and products to the catalytic active sites via their hydrophobicity and contact ion pairs. Hence, the electronic properties of the catalysts in ILs can be tuned by the proper choice of the IL-cations and anions that strongly influence the residence time/diffusion of the reactants, intermediates, and products in the nano-environment. On the other hand, ILs provide driving force towards photocatalytic redox process to increase the CO₂ photoreduction. By combining ILs with the semiconductor, unique solid semiconductor-liquid commodities are generated that can lower the CO₂ activation energy barrier by modulating the electronic properties of the semiconductor surface. This mini-review provides a brief overview of the recent advances in IL assisted thermal conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbons, formic acid, methanol, dimethyl carbonate, and cyclic carbonates as well as its photo-conversion to solar fuels.     

Atomistic modeling toward high‐efficiency carbon capture: A brief survey with a few illustrative examples

With the negative environmental implications of the anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases like CO₂ having been scientifically established, emphasis is being placed on a concerted global effort to prevent such gases from reaching the atmosphere. Especially important are capture efforts at large point emission sources like fossil fuel power generation, natural gas processing, and various industrial plants. Given the importance and scale of such activities, it is a significant priority to optimize the capture process in terms of speed, energy requirements, and cost efficiency. For CO₂ capture, in particular, multiple systems are being pursued both with near‐term retrofitting and medium‐ to long‐term designs in mind, including: (1) liquid solvents like amines, carbonates, and ionic liquids (ILs); (2) microporous sorbents like zeolites, activated carbon, and metal‐organic frameworks; (3) solid sorbents like metal‐oxides and ionic clays; and (4) polymeric and inorganic membrane separators. Each system is unique in its molecular‐level guest–host interactions, chemistry, heats of adsorption/desorption, and equilibrium thermodynamic and transport properties as a function of loading, temperature, and pressure. This opens up exciting opportunities for molecular modeling in the design and optimization of materials systems. Here, we offer a brief survey of molecular modeling applications in the field of carbon capture, with a few illustrative examples from our own work primarily involving amine solutions and ILs. Important molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, and correlations‐based work in the literature relevant to CO₂ capture in other systems are also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multiple‐Site SO2‐Capture Ionic Liquids with Nearly Uniform Site Performance

We propose a series of azolium poly(azolyl)borate ionic liquids (ILs) for reversible SO₂ capture. Density functional calculations demonstrate that the designed borate anions can strongly bond to SO₂ at multiple sites with nearly uniform binding energies. Thus, as well as high overall uptakes, the ILs can achieve much higher effective uptakes (the uptake difference between absorption and desorption conditions) than existing SO₂‐capture reagents. The larger size of the borate anions, the evenly distributed negative charge among the azolyl rings, and the blocking of the conjugation by the tetrahedral boron concertedly reduce absorbate–absorbate repulsion, which leads to a large disparity among binding sites in other multiple‐site SO₂ sorbents.     

Biocatalysis and Biomass Conversion in Alternative Reaction Media

In this Minireview, the state of the art in the use of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as alternative reaction media for biocatalytic processes and biomass conversion is presented. Initial, proof‐of‐concept studies, more than a decade ago, involved first‐generation ILs based on dialkylimidazolium cations and non‐coordinating anions, such as tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate. More recently, emphasis has switched to more environmentally acceptable second‐generation ILs comprising cations, which are designed to be compatible with enzymes and, in many cases are derived from readily available, renewable resources, such as cholinium salts. Protic ionic liquids (PILs), prepared simply by mixing inexpensive amines and acids, are particularly attractive from both an environmental and economic viewpoint. DESs, prepared by mixing inexpensive salts with, preferably renewable, hydrogen‐bond donors such as glycerol and amino acids, have also proved suitable reaction media for biocatalytic conversions. A broad range of enzymes can be used in ILs, PILs and DESs, for example lipases in biodiesel production. These neoteric solvents are of particular interest, however, as reaction media for biocatalytic conversions of substrates that have limited solubility in common organic solvents, such as carbohydrates, nucleosides, steroids and polysaccharides. This has culminated in the recent focus of attention on their use as (co)solvents in the pretreatment and saccharification of lignocellulose as the initial steps in the conversion of second‐generation renewable biomass into biofuels and chemicals. They can similarly be used as reaction media in subsequent conversions of hexoses and pentoses into platform chemicals.     

CO2 Absorption Mechanism by the Nonaqueous Solvent Consisting of Hindered Amine 2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]ethanol and Ethylene Glycol

In this work, we studied the CO₂ absorption mechanism by nonaqueous solvent comprising hindered amine 2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]ethanol (TBAE) and ethylene glycol (EG). The NMR and FTIR results indicated that CO₂ reacted with an -OH group of EG rather than the -OH of TBAE by producing hydroxyethyl carbonate species. A possible reaction pathway was suggested, which involves two steps. In the first step, the acid–base reaction between TBAE and EG generated the anion HO-CH₂-CH₂-O-; in the second step, the O⁻ of HO-CH₂-CH₂-O⁻ attacked the C atom of CO₂, forming carbonate species.