Corrosion behaviors of materials in aluminum chloride–1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid

The corrosion properties of carbon steel (CS), 304 stainless steel (304 SS), and pure titanium (Ti) are first studied in aluminum chloride–1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid (IL). An active-to-passive transition behavior was clearly observed for CS. The 304 SS exhibited the best stability among the materials; no considerable corrosion was recognized even in this high-chloride environment. In contrast, although Ti resists corrosion in ambient environments, it was not passivated in the IL and became severely corroded under an anodic applied potential. The material corrosion behaviors and mechanisms in the non-aqueous, low-oxygen, and high-halogen-containing IL are completely different from those in traditional aqueous solutions.     

Photoinduced electron-transfer reactions in two room-temperature ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

Photoinduced electron transfer in two room-temperature ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF(6)) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (OMIM-PF(6)), has been investigated using steady-state fluorescence quenching of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene with a series of single electron donors. From these fluorescence quenching rates, reorganization energy (lambda) values and k(diff) values can be derived from a Rehm-Weller analysis. In many cases, these fluorescence quenching reactions occur at rates larger than what would be expected based on the Smoluchowski equation. In addition, lambda values of 10.1 kcal/mol and 16.3 kcal/mol for BMIM-PF(6) and OMIM-PF(6), respectively, have been determined.     

Electrochemical behavior of uranyl in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride mixture with water

Electrochemical behaviors of U(VI) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C₄MimCl) with various water contents investigated by chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical reduction of U(VI) was identified to follow two processes: a lower valence intermediate U(V) was initially formed at the potential of ca. ?0.2 V(vs. Ag wire). Then, further deposition of UO₂ was followed at around ?0.8 V. Little amount of water (1–4 wt%) in C₄MimCl, however, has an effect on the U(VI) reduction by changing the current density of the redox reaction and the diffusion coefficient of U(VI) in C₄MimCl. The deposited product by potentiostatic electrolysis on the surface of stainless steel electrode was characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Although the electrodeposited black film was amorphous, the electrochemical reduced product of U(VI) can be still confirmed to be UO₂ by XRD after the crystallization of the amorphous deposits at 1,073 K in nitrogen atmosphere.     

Electrodeposition of Ni-Mg alloys from 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/glycerin eutectic-based ionic liquid

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The electrodeposition of Ni-Mg alloys in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/glycerin (BMIC/GL, 1:1 M ratio) eutectic-based ionic liquid...     

Transport properties of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride from equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. The effect of temperature

We present here equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation results for self-diffusion coefficients, shear viscosity, and electrical conductivity in a model ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) at different temperatures. The Green-Kubo relations were employed to evaluate the transport coefficients. When compared with available experimental data, the model underestimates the conductivity and self-diffusion, whereas the viscosity is overpredicted, showing only a semiquantitative agreement with experimental data. These discrepancies are explained on the basis of the rigidity and lack of polarizability of the model. Despite this, the experimental trends with temperature are remarkably well reproduced, with a good agreement on the activation energies when available. No significant deviations from the Nernst-Einstein relation can be assessed on the basis of the statistical uncertainty of the simulations, although the comparison between the electric current and the velocity autocorrelation functions suggests some degree of cross-correlation among ions in a short time scale. The simulations reproduce remarkably well the slope of the Walden plots obtained from experimental data of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, confirming that temperature does not alter appreciably the extent of ion pairing.     

反相气相色谱法表征1-烯丙基-3-甲基氯代咪唑离子液体的表面性质

采用反相气相色谱(IGC)技术研究了不同温度下1-烯丙基-3-甲基氯代咪唑(［AMIM］Cl)的表面性质。以正己烷、正庚烷、正辛烷和正壬烷作为非极性探针分子测定［AMIM］Cl在343.15、353.15、363.15和373.15 K温度下的表面色散自由能;以二氯甲烷、三氯甲烷、丙酮、乙酸乙酯、四氢呋喃作为极性探针分子测定离子液体Lewis酸碱性质,并测定了吸附自由能和吸附自由焓变等热动力学参数。实验结果表明,［AMIM］Cl的酸解离平衡常数Ka为0.34,碱解离平衡常数Kb为1.68,其表面呈Lewis两性偏碱性特点。在343.15、353.15、363.15和373.15 K温度下,［AMIM］Cl的表面色散自由能分别为52.26、50.82、46.08和42.05 mJ/m2。这一结果对研究离子液体的表面性质及应用有指导作用。     

Monitor adsorption of acetone vapor to a room temperature ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide by a langasite crystal resonator

In this work, the responses of a Y-cut langasite crystal resonator (LCR) in liquid phases were investigated by an impedance analysis method. The resonant frequency (f_S) of the LCR decreases with increasing mass loading on the active surface of the resonator. The LCR can be operated at the resonant frequency that is down to about 60% of the fundamental frequency (f₀) under foreign mass loading. The frequency-mass coefficient of the Y-cut LCR is theoretically derived to be −1.282 × 10⁻⁶, which is supported by the experimental results. The resonant frequency of the LCR decreases linearly while its motional resistance (R_m) increases linearly with increasing (ρη)^1/2, where η and ρ are the viscosity and density of the liquid phase, respectively. The slopes of the plots of f_S versus (ρη)^1/2 and R_m versus (ρη)^1/2 are related to the region of (ρη)^1/2 because of the influence of surface roughness of the LCR. The changes in viscodensity of a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₈MIM][Br]), were investigated in acetone vapor adsorption and ascending temperature processes by the LCR. The adsorption of acetone into [C₈MIM][Br] causes a significantly drop in viscosity of the [C₈MIM][Br] film, which induces an increase in f_S and a decrease in R_m for the RTIL modified LCR. When the thickness of [C₈MIM][Br] film is less than the decay distance of the thickness-shear wave, a mass effect model is observed in the early adsorption process. Based on the responses of the LCR, the viscodensity of the [C₈MIM][Br] film as well as the adsorbed amounts of acetone into film were monitored in real time during the adsorption or desorption processes.     

Understanding the mechanism of cellulose dissolution in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid via quantum chemistry calculations and molecular dynamics simulations

While N,N′-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) have been well-established as effective solvents for dissolution and processing of cellulose, the detailed mechanism at the molecular level still remains unclear. In this work, we present a combined quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulation study on how the ILs dissolve cellulose. On the basis of calculations on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, one of the most effective ILs dissolving cellulose, we further studied the molecular behavior of cellulose models (i.e. cellulose oligomers with degrees of polymerization n = 2, 4, and 6) in the IL, including the structural features and hydrogen bonding patterns. The collected data indicate that both chloride anions and imidazolium cations of the IL interact with the oligomer via hydrogen bonds. However, the anions occupy the first coordination shell of the oligomer, and the strength and number of hydrogen bonds and the interaction energy between anions and the oligomer are much larger than those between cations and the oligomer. It is observed that the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the oligomer is broken under the combined effect of anions and cations. The present results emphasize that the chloride anions play a critically important role and the imidazolium cations also present a remarkable contribution in the cellulose dissolution. This point of view is different from previous one that only underlines the importance of the chloride anions in the cellulose dissolution. The present results improve our understanding for the cellulose dissolution in imidazolium chloride ILs.     

Characterising the electronic structure of ionic liquids: an examination of the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ion pair

In this paper we analyse the electronic properties of gas-phase 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Cl ion pairs, [C(4)C(1)im]Cl, in order to deepen our understanding of ionic liquids in general. Examination of charge densities, natural bond orbitals (NBO), and delocalised molecular orbitals computed at the B3LYP and MP2/6-31(++)G(d,p) levels have enabled us to explain a number of experimental phenomena: the relative acidity of different sites on the imidazolium ring, variations in hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor abilities, the apparent contradiction of the hydrogen-bond-donor parameters for different types of solute, the low probability of finding a Cl(-) anion at the rear of the imidazolium ring and the expansion of the imidazolium ring in the presence of a strong hydrogen-bond acceptor. The unreactive but coordinating environment and large electrochemical window have also been accounted for, as has the strong electron-donating character of the carbon atoms to the rear of the ring in associated imidazolylidenes. The electronic structure of the [C(4)C(1)im](+) cation is best described by a C(4)==C(5) double bond at the rear, and a delocalised three-centre 4 e(-) component across the front (N(1)-C(2)-N(3)) of the imidazolium ring; delocalisation between these regions is also significant. Hydrogen-bond formation is driven by Coulombic stabilisation, which compensates for an associated destabilisation of the electronic part of the system. Interactions are dominated by a large positive charge at C(2) and the build up of pi-electron density above and below the ring, particularly that associated with the double bond between C(4) and C(5). The NBO partial charges have been computed and compared with those used in a number of classical simulations.     

Effects of alcohols and counterions on the phase behavior of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride aqueous solution

Phase behavior of ternary systems involving 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C8mim]Cl), water, and different alcohols (1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol, and 1-dodecanol) is investigated at 25 degrees C. With the use of polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques, lyotropic lamellar phases (Lalpha) are identified in all systems, the formation of which is considered as a synergetic result of the hydrophobic force and the hydrogen-bonded network comprising an imidazolium ring, Cl-, water, and alcohols. In these Lalpha phases, alcohol molecules play important roles not only because they could partly penetrate into the palisade layer with their hydroxyl groups extruded to form the network at the aggregate interface, but also because they could partly locate themselves in the interior of the hydrophobic bilayers to twist with the alkyl chains of [C8mim]Cl. Influencing factors such as the carbon chain length and content of different alcohols on these Lalpha phases are discussed. With comparison to analogous ternary systems of [C8mim]BF4 and [C8mim]PF6, it is found that the strong interaction between counterions and alcohols favors the appearance of ordered assemblies.     

Direct electroreduction of solid cuprous chloride to copper powder in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid

Direct electroreduction of solid cuprous chloride to prepare copper powder in a “neutral” ambient-temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid (BMIMBF₄) was investigated. Cyclic voltammetry of the CuCl powder in a Pt-powder cavity microelectrode exhibited that solid CuCl can be electrochemical reduced in the ionic liquid. Chronoamperometry of the salt powder filled Mo-cavity electrode (current collector) in the ionic liquid further demonstrated the conversion of chloride-to metal inside the cavity, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction spectra.     

Rotational dynamics of a diatomic solute in the room-temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

Reorientational time correlation functions C(l)(t)( identical withP(l)[cos theta(t)]) for a diatomic solute in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EMI(+)PF(6) (-)) are analyzed via molecular dynamics computer simulations, where <...> denotes an equilibrium ensemble average, P(l) the lth order Legendre polynomial and theta(t) the angle between the solute orientation at time t and its initial direction. Overall results are indicative of heterogeneous dynamics in EMI(+)PF(6) (-). For a small nondipolar solute, C(l)(t) are well-described as stretched exponential functions in wide time ranges. One striking feature is that after rapid initial relaxation, C(2)(t) decays more slowly than C(1)(t). As a result, the correlation time associated with the former is considerably longer than that with the latter. This is ascribed to solvent structural fluctuations, which allow large-amplitude solute rotations. As the solute size grows, relaxation of C(l)(t) approaches exponential decay.     

Computational studies of the structure and cation-anion interactions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ionic liquid

Quantum chemical calculations of the structures and cation-anion interaction of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ([Emim][LAC]) ion pair at the B3LYP/6-31++G** theoretical level were performed. The relevant geometrical characteristics, energy properties, intermolecular H-bonds (H-bonds), and calculated IR vibrations with respect to isolated ions were systematically discussed. The natural bond orbital (NBO) and atoms in molecule (AIM) analyses were also employed to understand the nature of the interactions between cation and anion. The five most stable geometries were verified by analyzing the relative energies and interaction energies. It was found that the most of the C-H···O intermolecular H-bonds interactions in five stable conformers have some covalent character in nature. The elongation and red shift in IR spectrum of C-H bonds which involve in H-bonds is proved by electron transfers from the lone pairs of the carbonyl O atom of [LAC] to the C-H antibonding orbital of the [Emim]+. The interaction modes are more favorable when the carbonyl O atoms of [LAC] interact with the C2-H of the imidazolium ring and the C-H of the ethyl group through the formation of triple H-bonds.     

Thermal decomposition mechanism of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid

In order to better understand the volatilization process for ionic liquids, the vapor evolved from heating the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (EMIM(+)Br(-)) was analyzed via tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (VUV-PI-TOFMS) and thermogravimetric analysis mass spectrometry (TGA-MS). For this ionic liquid, the experimental results indicate that vaporization takes place via the evolution of alkyl bromides and alkylimidazoles, presumably through alkyl abstraction via an S(N)2 type mechanism, and that vaporization of intact ion pairs or the formation of carbenes is negligible. Activation enthalpies for the formation of the methyl and ethyl bromides were evaluated experimentally, ΔH(?)(CH(3)Br) = 116.1 ± 6.6 kJ/mol and ΔH(?)(CH(3)CH(2)Br) = 122.9 ± 7.2 kJ/mol, and the results are found to be in agreement with calculated values for the S(N)2 reactions. Comparisons of product photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves with literature data are in good agreement, and ab initio thermodynamics calculations are presented as further evidence for the proposed thermal decomposition mechanism. Estimates for the enthalpy of vaporization of EMIM(+)Br(-) and, by comparison, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMIM(+)Br(-)) from molecular dynamics calculations and their gas phase enthalpies of formation obtained by G4 calculations yield estimates for the ionic liquids' enthalpies of formation in the liquid phase: ΔH(vap)(298 K) (EMIM(+)Br(-)) = 168 ± 20 kJ/mol, ΔH(f,?gas)(298 K) (EMIM(+)Br(-)) = 38.4 ± 10 kJ/mol, ΔH(f,?liq)(298 K) (EMIM(+)Br(-)) = -130 ± 22 kJ/mol, ΔH(f,?gas)(298 K) (BMIM(+)Br(-)) = -5.6 ± 10 kJ/mol, and ΔH(f,?liq)(298 K) (BMIM(+)Br(-)) = -180 ± 20 kJ/mol.     

Reaction mechanism of Cl2 and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids

Systems containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid and chlorine gas were investigated. Using relativistic density functional theory, we calculated the formation mechanism of trichloride and hydrogen dichloride anions in an Emim(+)Cl(-) + Cl(2) system. Emim(+)Cl(3)(-) forms without energy barriers. The more stable species ClEmim(+)HCl(2)(-) forms through chlorine substitution. Substitution of a H on the imidazolium ring is much easier than substitution on the alkyl side chains. Infrared, Raman, ESI-MS, and (1)H NMR spectra were measured for EmimCl, BmimCl, and DmimCl with and without Cl(2) gas. The coexistence of Cl(3)(-) and HCl(2)(-), as well as chlorine-substituted cations, was confirmed by detection of their spectroscopic signals in the Cl(2) added ionic liquids. Cl substitution appears less serious for cations with longer side chains.     

Cation-anion interactions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate-based ionic liquid electrolytes

An important step in developing ionic-liquid-based electrolytes for lithium rechargeable batteries is obtaining a molecular-level understanding of the ionic interactions that occur in these systems. In this study, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethansulfonate ([C2mim]CF3SO3) is complexed with LiCF3SO3, and the local structures of the CF3SO3- and [C2mim]+ ions are investigated with infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The isolation and subsequent refinement of a Li[C2mim](CF3SO3)2 crystal provides further insight into the structure of the [C2mim]CF3SO3-LiCF3SO3 solutions. Minor changes are observed in the infrared and Raman spectra of dilute [C2mim]CF3SO3-LiCF3SO3 solutions compared to pure [C2mim]CF3SO3. However, a suspension of very small Li[C2mim](CF3SO3)2 crystallites forms at a solution composition of [C2mim]CF3SO3:LiCF3SO3 = 10:1 (mole ratio), placing an upper limit on the solubility of LiCF3SO3. Essentially no changes are observed in the vibrational modes of the [C2mim]+ cations over the entire range of LiCF3SO3 compositions studied, suggesting that the addition of these compounds does not significantly perturb the local structure of the [C2mim]+ cations. The salt used in this study has a common anion with the ionic liquid; thus, the ion cloud surrounding the [C2mim]+ ions, which must be primarily composed of CF3SO3- anions, is not significantly altered with the addition of LiCF3SO3.     

Liquid structure of room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide

The liquid structure of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (EMI(+)TFSI(-)) has been studied by means of large-angle X-ray scattering (LAXS), (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. LAXS measurements show that the ionic liquid is highly structured with intermolecular interactions at around 6, 9, and 15 A. The intermolecular interactions at around 6, 9, and 15 A are ascribed, on the basis of the MD simulation, to the nearest neighbor EMI(+)...TFSI(-) interaction, the EMI(+)...EMI(+) and TFSI(-)...TFSI(-) interactions, and the second neighbor EMI+...TFSI(-) interaction, respectively. The ionic liquid involves two conformers, C(1) (cis) and C(2) (trans), for TFSI(-), and two conformers, planar cis and nonplanar staggered, for EMI(+), and thus the system involves four types of the EMI(+)...TFSI(-) interactions in the liquid state by taking into account the conformers. However, the EMI(+)...TFSI(-) interaction is not largely different for all combinations of the conformers. The same applies alsoto the EMI(+)...EMI(+) and TFSI(-)...TFSI(-) interactions. It is suggested from the 13C NMR that the imidazolium C(2) proton of EMI(+) strongly interacts with the O atom of the -SO(2)(CF(3)) group of TFSI(-). The interaction is not ascribed to hydrogen-bonding, according to the MD simulation. It is shown that the liquid structure is significantly different from the layered crystal structure that involves only the nonplanar staggered EMI(+) and C(1) TFSI(-) conformers.     

Lipase-catalysed polyester synthesis in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid was employed as a reaction medium for lipase-catalysed aliphatic polyester synthesis. Lipase PS-C exhibited excellent catalysis in polycondensation of diethyl octane-1,8-dicarboxylate and 1,4-butanediol at room temperature and at 60°C. A relatively high molecular weight polymer was obtained at 60°C.