Search

Most ultrasound-based processes root in empirical approaches. Because nearly all advances have been conducted in aqueous systems, there exists a paucity of information on sonoprocessing in other solvents, particularly ionic liquids (ILs). In this work, we modelled an ultrasonic horn-type sonoreactor and investigated the effects of ultrasound power, sonotrode immersion depth, and solvents thermodynamic properties on acoustic cavitation in nine imidazolium-based and three pyrrolidinium-based ILs. The model accounts for bubbles, acoustic impedance mismatch at interfaces, and treats the ILs as incompressible, Newtonian, and saturated with argon. Following a statistical analysis of the simulation results, we determined that viscosity and ultrasound input power are the most significant variables affecting the intensity of the acoustic pressure field (P), the volume of cavitation zones (V), and the magnitude of the maximum acoustic streaming surface velocity (u). V and u increase with the increase of ultrasound input power and the decrease in viscosity, whereas the magnitude of negative P decreases as ultrasound power and viscosity increase. Probe immersion depth positively correlates with V, but its impact on P and u is insignificant. 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ILs yielded the largest V and the fastest acoustic jets - 0.77 cm3 and 24.4 m s-1 for 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride at 60 W. 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium-based ILs generated the smallest V and lowest u - 0.17 cm3 and 1.7 m s-1 for 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium p-toluene sulfonate at 20 W. Sonochemiluminescence experiments validated the model.

PEDOT:PSS, an ionic polymer mixture of positively‐charged poly‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT+) and negatively‐charged poly‐styrenesulfonate (PSS−), is a water‐processable and environmentally‐benign organic semiconductor and electrochemical transistor, which plays a key role in organic (bio)electronic devices. However, pristine PEDOT:PSS films form 10‐to‐30‐nm granular domains, where conducting‐but‐hydrophobic PEDOT‐rich cores are surrounded by hydrophilic‐but‐insulating PSS‐rich shells. Such morphology makes PEDOT:PSS water‐soluble and thermally stable but very poor in conductivity. A tremendous amount of effort has been made to enhance the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS by restoring the extended conduction network of PEDOT. Recently, remarkable ~5000‐fold improvements of conductivity have been achieved by mixing PEDOT:PSS with proper ionic liquids (ILs). In a series of free energy estimations using density functional theory calculation and molecular dynamics simulation, we have demonstrated that the classic hard‐soft acid–base (or cation‐anion) principle of chemistry plays an important role in such improvements. Ion exchange between PEDOT+:PSS− and A+:X− ILs helps PEDOT+ to decouple from PSS− and to grow into large‐scale conducting domains of π‐stacked PEDOT+ decorated by IL anions X−. Thus, the most spontaneous decoupling between soft (hydrophobic) PEDOT+ and hard (hydrophilic) PSS− would be induced by strong interaction with soft anions X− and hard cations A+, respectively. Such hard‐cation‐soft‐anion principles have led us to design ILs containing extremely hydrophilic (i.e., protic) cations and hydrophobic anions. Not only they indeed improve the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS but also enhance its stretchability as well. In summary, our modeling offered molecular‐level insights on the morphological, electrical, and mechanical properties of PEDOT:PSS and a molecular‐interaction‐based enhancement strategy for intrinsically stretchable conductive polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric (TE) materials are significant for sustainable development because they can be used to harvest waste heat into electricity. Organic TE materials have unique merits including high mechanical flexibility, low cost, and low intrinsic thermal conductivity. But their TE properties particularly the Seebeck coefficient are notably lower than the inorganic counterparts. Here, a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) film is reported with a very high Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit (zT) at room temperature through secondary doping, dedoping engineering, and ionic energy filtering. The PEDOT:PSS films are successively treated with acid, base, and vitamin C that is a reductant, and then coated with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIM:DCA) that is an ionic liquid. This can exhibit a record‐high Seebeck coefficient and power factor of 111 µV K−1 and 1285 µW m−1 K−2, respectively, and the corresponding zT value is 1.05. This is the highest zT value for polymers and polymer composites, and it is comparable to that of the best inorganic TE materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium (NHC‐palladium)‐catalyzed denitrogenative coupling of aryldiazonium salts with terminal alkynes in ionic liquids has been accomplished. This catalytic strategy provides an effective and green synthetic protocol for the assembly of structurally diverse internal alkynes with excellent functional group compatibility and mild conditions. In the presence of 1 mol % of IMes‐Pd‐Im‐Cl2 as the catalyst, a wide range of terminal alkynes and aryldiazonium salts could be excellently tolerated. Basic ionic liquid plays a crucial role in this catalytic system, which not only acts as the green solvent, but also provides basic environment for the carbon‐carbon bond formation process. Notably, this catalytic system could be recycled up to six times and reused without significant loss of catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe experimental study assessed the impact of choline chloride cation-based ionic liquid (IL), on the dispersion stability and wear characteristics of copper (II) oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) in synthetic base oil (PAO 10). CuO NPs, averaging 50 nm in size, underwent surface modification using varying concentrations of the IL (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by weight). The formulations were subjected to sliding wear tests to evaluate their wear behavior. Analysis of the worn surfaces utilized scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The results indicated that the combination of 0.75% IL and 1% CuO NPs provided optimal dispersion and exhibited effective surface mending, enhancing wear protection by 21.1% than that of PAO 10. The formulation containing 1% IL and 1% CuO NPs demonstrated the highest load carrying capacity among all tested compositions. In terms of wear behavior, the nanolubricant formulations with 0.75% and 1% IL outperformed the lubricant formulation containing 1 wt% of the commercial antiwear additive Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel obtained from castor oil is considered a green renewable resource and is an admirable substitute for petro-based diesel, which originated from non-renewable energy sources. In this investigation, the transformation of castor oil to alkyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate, biodiesel was attained using a separable and reusable heterogeneous Brønsted acid functionalized melamine-supported porphyrin trimer photocatalyst (BAFMsPPc). This BAFMsPPc was scrutinized by using NMR, FT-IR, and SEM/EDAX. Moreover, a UV-visible spectrophotometer was employed for measuring the optical band gap (1.15 eV) and Hammett acidity (H0=0.74). The ethyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate was acquired using 15 mg of BAFMsPPc photocatalyst under the luminance of visible light (5W/9W/12W) in a home-made photoreactor consisting of a temperature sensor and controller. The ethyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate was evidenced by 1H, 13C NMR. Furthermore, BAFMsPPc photocatalyst was competent for the simultaneous reduction and transesterification of castor oil to produce alkyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate under irradiation of visible light by means of formic acid as a hydrogen source and validated by 1H and 13C NMR. The direct conversion of castor oil to alkyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate by simultaneous transesterification and reduction beneath optimized conditions in the presence of photocatalyst and formic acid is the most feasible method. Moreover, the gram-scale reaction succeeded to get ethyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate under optimized conditions. The ethyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate was blended with commercial diesel at 10 and 15% (v/v), exhibiting comparable cetane no. of 10% blended sample with the marketed diesel sample. Furthermore, the recyclability and stability of BAFMsPPc were confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared red spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance after the 6th run obeying the principle of green chemistry supporting environmentally benign procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butanol as a biofuel, can be produced by ABE (acetone-butanol-ethanol) fermentation. Pervaporation is a promising process, especially for the separation of biofuels from aqueous mixtures such as ABE mixtures which consists of 3:6:1 ratio of ABE solvents and water around 97%. In this study, ionic liquid-based membranes were developed for the recovery of butanol from aqueous mixtures. The active layer providing the selectivity was formed by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmim][Tf2N]) ionic liquid (IL). Porous polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films were used as the support layers. Two different types of membranes were prepared, in which IL was mixed into PDMS and cast as a thin film on the support layer, and IL was impregnated into the pores of the support layers. The effects of feed concentration and temperature on separation performance were investigated. In addition, the membranes were prepared with and without IL, and the effect of IL on membrane performance was investigated. In general, an increase in flux and selectivity values ​​was observed with the addition of IL in PDMS. Butanol selectivities in pervaporation experiments with different process parameters were found between 24.7 and 61.3 when PTFE support layer was used and between 22.5 and 48.6 when PVDF support layer was used. Especially with the use of IL in the membrane, the fluxes increased 2.5-5 times, resulting in a significant increase in fluxes. As a result, it has been shown that PDMS+IL/PVDF and PDMS+IL/PTFE membranes can be used for effective butanol recovery by pervaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), an important class of organic-inorganic nanocomposite membranes, were developed to overcome some of the limitations of purely polymeric membranes. In this study to improve the separation performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared from incorporating choline prolinate based ionic liquid (IL) in a the coke/metal-organic framework (MOF) (NH2-MIL-101(Cr)) as a filler in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can be viewed as a potential solution to the trade-off problem with polymeric membranes because of the combination of the processing versatility of polymers and the high gas separation capability. Coke/MOF/PVC and IL@AC/MOF/PVC MMMs with different filler loadings of 5, 10, and 15 wt% were prepared using solution casting method and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analyses, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area test. The porous structure of MMMs nanocomposites causes to which coke/MOF composite effectively accelerate gas diffusion in the PVC matrix. The permeability date was measured at 288.15, 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K and pressure up to 4 bar for CO2 and N2. According to the outcome, the addition of the IL([Cho][Pro]) filler, the permeability of the AC/MOF/PVC MMMs is increased compared to the pure PVC membrane. The MMMs have the highest gas separation efficiency and performance above Robson's Upper Bound from 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high thermal conductivity, graphene finds extensive application in thermal composite materials. However, akin to polymer composites containing other fillers, the thermal resistance at the interface between graphene and the polymer matrix substantially impedes heat conduction. Thus, functionalizing graphene becomes imperative to enhance its dispersibility in polymers. In this study, we synthesized the imidazolyl ionic liquid 1‐methyl‐3‐triethoxysilpropyl imidazole chloride ([MTESiPIM]Cl). Ionic liquid complexes supported by graphene (G) were synthesized via a simple ultrasonic stripping method by combining electrochemical graphene (G) with [MTESiPIM]Cl (Si‐IL@G). The Si‐IL@G/LLDPE composite was formed by blending Si‐IL@G into the linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix using a melt blending technique. Upon adding 5% Si‐IL@G, the tensile strength and bending modulus of Si‐IL@G/LLDPE composite reached 13.5 MPa and 348.2 MPa, respectively, marking an increase of 20.67% and 57.79% over pure LLDPE. The Si‐IL@G/LLDPE composite exhibited a thermal conductivity of 0.49 W·m−1·K−1, 96.0% higher than that of pure LLDPE. Given its outstanding thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, Si‐IL@G holds great potential in producing composites with high thermal conductivity. Highlights: An ionic liquid with siloxanyl groups was synthesized using microwave assistance.The ionic liquid was modified onto graphene sheets using ultrasonic techniques.The study examined how ionic liquid‐modified graphene affects LLDPE structure.The thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of LLDPE were enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) gels change their volume and hydrophilicity in response to temperature stimulus in flexible actuators, flexible sensors, and energy storage management. However, traditional PNIPAM gels exhibit low mechanical properties and poor self‐recovery ability due to weak intermolecular (chain) interactions and necessary covalent crosslinking. Herein, a water/ionic liquid (H2O/IL) binary solvent system that provides additional hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions as well as can significantly increase the solubility (up to 60 wt.%) of NIPAM is developed. The fully physically crosslinked PNIPAM ionogel is prepared by utilizing the H2O/IL binary solvent and exhibited excellent mechanical performances, rapid self‐recovery properties, and strong adhesion strength. In addition, the lower critical solution temperature of the PNIPAM ionogel can also be tuned over a wide range (37‐70 °C) by adjusting the IL ratio in the binary solvent. Furthermore, based on the temperature sensitivity and ionic conductivity of the PNIPAM ionogel, applications of PNIPAM ionogels in smart devices, temperature‐managed adhesion, and flexible sensing are demonstrated, respectively. This work improves various performances of PNIPAM gels by using the H2O/IL binary solvent to adjust non‐covalent interactions and provided new ideas for developing high‐performance temperature‐sensitive gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) mainly occurs at the three‐phase interface, and the properties of an interface can directly affect the CO2RR pathway. Cu‐based materials can produce considerable amounts of alcohols and hydrocarbons, but it is hard to precisely regulate the reaction interface and obtain specific target products. Herein, the properties of the Cu surface through a facile strategy of ionic liquid modification are successfully adjusted. According to theoretical calculations and in situ Raman and FTIR spectra characterizations, it is revealed that the introduction of ionic liquids (e.g., [Bmim][PF6]) can control the energy barriers and distribution density of key intermediates on Cu interface, thus totally change the reaction pathway of CO2 electroreduction. Consequently, the dominant products from the Cu catalyst will be dramatically switched between C2H4 with a 71.1% Faraday efficiency (FE) and CH4 with a 67.2% FE. It is rarely seen in previous reports that the CO2RR products can be fundamentally changed through simple interface modifications. This work offers a straightforward approach to tune the interfacial properties and understand the mechanisms in various electrocatalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low ionic migration and compromised interfacial stability pose challenges for low‐temperature batteries. In this work, we discovered that even with the state‐of‐the‐art localized high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs), uncontrolled Na electrodeposition occurs with a huge overpotential of >1.2 V at −20 °C, leading to cell failure within tens of hours. To address this, we introduce a new electrolyte category that incorporates an ionic liquid as a key solvation species. Diverging from traditional LHCEs, the IL‐tailored LHCE facilitates an anion–solvent‐molecules exchange within the solvation sheath between Na+ and organic cations at low temperatures. This behavior reduces solvation cluster size and strengthens Na+–anion coordination, which proves instrumental in enabling fast ionic dynamics in both the bulk liquid and at the interface. Therefore, durable Na electrodeposition and shuttle‐free, 0.5 Ah sodium–sulfur pouch cells are achieved at −20 °C, for the first time, surpassing the limitations of typical LHCEs. This tailoring strategy opens a  new design direction for advanced batteries operating in fast‐charge and wide‐temperature scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A practical and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of ferrocene appended furopyranone, furochromenone, and benzofuranone via a metal‐free annulation reaction of imidazolium ylide with enone mediated by saccharin‐based ionic liquid has been reported. The mechanistic studies show an approach through synergistic dual activation of enone and imidazolium ylide via cation and anion of ionic liquid, respectively. This operationally simple protocol offers an easy and rapid access to a library of ferrocene appended furopyranone, furochromenone, and benzofuranone in moderate to good yields through the involvement of a six‐membered transition state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas is a type of biomass energy source, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide. It is generated through the controlled anaerobic digestion of manure or other organic residues. As a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels, fully purified biogas can produce approximately 36.68 MJ/m3 of en.ergy. As the separation of CO2/CH4 in biogas became an important part of the energy industry, we used membrane separation technique to study its separation methods. At first, 3,3′‐dihydroxy‐4,4′‐diamino‐biphenyl (HAB) and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) were polymerized by open‐loop as polyamide acid macromolecules. Then it was divided into two research routes. One was condensation to polyimide (PI) membranes directly and then thermal rearrangement (TR); the other one was ionic liquid (IL) added before condensation and thermal rearrangement. Through adjusting the thermal rearrangement temperature, different modified polyimide membranes were obtained and tested their separation performance of CO2/CH4. For the result of the test, the best one, membrane HAB‐6FDA‐IL‐TR400, could reach a good separation performance as PCO2 = 403.80 Barrer, αCO2/CH4 = 82.35. It was beyond the Robeson's 2019 upper limit and proved that the modification by IL and thermal rearrangement was benefit for the separation performance of polyimide membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To address the poor efficacy and percutaneous penetration of grape seed oil, ionic liquids and nanotechnology were combined to prepare a grape seed oil emulsion. Methods: A novel Menthol-CoQ10 ionic liquid and ionic liquid based grapeseed oil emulsion were prepared and confirmed. Results: The average size of the grapeseed oil emulsion was 218 nm, and its zeta potential was −33.5 mV. The ionic liquid-based grape seed oil emulsion exhibited a transdermal penetration effect 4.63-fold higher than that of ordinary grape seed oil emulsion. Ionic liquid also displayed enhanced efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. It significantly inhibited the production of DPPH free radicals and tyrosinase, inhibited melanin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) produced by cells, and promoted type I collagen expression in fibroblasts. After 28 days of continuous use, the grapeseed oil emulsion improved the water content of the stratum corneum and the rate of transepidermal water loss, enhanced the firmness and elasticity of the skin, and significantly improved the total number and length of under-eye lines, tail lines, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines on the face. Conclusions: Menthol-CoQ10 ionic liquid is a promising functional excipient for both transdermal delivery increase and efficient enhancement. Ionic liquid and nanotechnology for grape seed oil facial mask displayed significantly enhanced efficacy and permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart polymers undergo significant physical or chemical changes in response to stimuli like temperature and pH. Achieving a narrow molecular weight distribution is crucial for their sensitivity. Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) in ionic liquids is an effective method for synthesizing such polymers due to its favorable kinetics and environmental benefits. Most studies use imidazolium ionic liquids, while pyridinium ionic liquids are less common despite their easy synthesis. This study reports the first successful RAFT copolymerization of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMEMA) and methyl methacrylate in N‐hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate ([HPY][PF6]). Both linear and hyperbranched copolymers (Mn > 25,000) with narrow molecular weight distribution were synthesized, showing observable temperature responses and biocompatibility. The linear copolymers had a desirable dispersity (Ð) of less than 1.10, while the hyperbranched copolymer had a Ð of 2.034. The lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of the copolymers were close to or below the LCST of PDEGMEMA (26°C). This study indicates that pyridinium ionic liquids can be explored as a suitable solvent for synthesizing methacrylate‐based smart polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amperometric sensor for ascorbic acid determination has been developed by modifying the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with polyaspartic acid (PolyAsp), carboxylated multi‐walled carbon nanotube (c‐MWCNT), and ionic liquid (IL, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate). The amount of each modification material on the surface was optimized in order to achieve good analytical performance. The operating conditions of c‐MWCNT−IL/PolyAsp/GCE were optimized. The performance characteristics of c‐MWCNT−IL/PolyAsp/GCE were investigated at optimum pH (8.0) and optimum potential (+0.20 V), and the sensor responded linearly to ascorbic acid between 5.3–2766.3 μM with a sensitivity of 19.64 μA mM−1 and detection limit of 3.0 μM. Determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablet, vitamin C injection solution, and orange juice was successfully performed with the presented sensor and the recovery values were found between 98.9% and 101.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly sensitive detection of nitric dioxide (NO2) has recently attracted much attention due to its harmful to the human health even at a low concentration of 0.1 parts per million (ppm). Herein, In2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via a facile ionic liquid (IL) assisted solvothermal method with subsequent calcination and then were analyzed through the characterization of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. Morphological characterization demonstrated that the resultant compounds were In2O3 NPs with a diameter ranging from 20 to 30 nm. The gas sensor based on the In2O3 NPs prepared with IL exhibited excellent NO2-sensing properties in terms of fast response/recovery speed (26.6/10.0 s), high response (310.0), good repeatability and long-term stability to 10 ppm NO2 gas at low working temperature of 92 °C. The gas-sensing mechanism of In2O3 NPs to NO2 was represented to the surface adsorption control model and the possibilities relating to the improved NO2 sensing performance of the In2O3 NPs synthesized with IL-assisted were also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact, multi-channel ionic liquid-gated graphene field-effect transistor (FET) has been proposed and developed in our work for on-field continuous monitoring of nitrate nitrogen and other nitrogen fertilizers to achieve sustainable and efficient farming practices in agriculture. However, fabricating graphene FETs with easy filling of ionic liquids, minimal graphene defects, and high process yields remains challenging, given the sensitivity of these devices to processing conditions and environmental factors. In this work, two approaches for the fabrication of our graphene FETs were presented, evaluated, and compared for high yields and easy filling of ionic liquids. The process difficulties, major obstacles, and improvements are discussed herein in detail. Both devices, those fabricated using a 3 μm-thick CYTOP® layer for position restriction and volume control of the ionic liquid and those using a ~20 nm-thick photosensitive hydrophobic layer for the same purpose, exhibited typical FET characteristics and were applicable to various application environments. The research findings and experiences presented in this paper will provide important references to related societies for the design, fabrication, and application of liquid-gated graphene FETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the kinetic resolution of building blocks for the synthesis of β-blockers using Candida rugosa lipases, which could be potentially used to synthesize enantiomerically pure β-blockers further. Reaction mixtures were incubated in a thermostated shaker. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the reaction mixtures were performed using chiral stationary phases and the UPLC-IT-TOF system. Of the 24 catalytic systems prepared, a system containing lipase from Candida rugosa MY, [EMIM][BF4] and toluene as a two-phase reaction medium and isopropenyl acetate as an acetylating agent was optimal. This resulted in a product with high enantiomeric purity produced via biotransformation, whose enantioselectivity was E = 67.5. Using lipases from Candida rugosa enables the enantioselective biotransformation of the β-blockers building block. The biocatalyst used, the reaction environment, and the acetylating agent significantly influence the efficiency of performer kinetic resolutions. The studies made it possible to select an optimum system, a prerequisite for obtaining a product of high enantiomeric purity. As a result of the performed biotransformation, the (S)-enantiomer of the β-blocker derivative was obtained, which can be used to further synthesize enantiomerically pure β-blockers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the [Bmim]Cl reaction medium, five different acidic ionic liquids were used as catalysts to study the effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, system water content, catalyst dosage, microwave power, and other factors on cellulose hydrolysis under microwave irradiation. The results showed that in the [Bmim]Cl reaction system, using N-methylpyrrolidone methylsulfonic acid salt as a catalyst, controlling the microwave reaction time at 10 min, reaction temperature at 130 °C, catalyst dosage at 1 g/g (cellulose), water addition at 0.756 μL/g ([Bmim]Cl), and microwave power at 480 W, resulted in the best cellulose hydrolysis effect with a glucose yield of 74.49%. Compared to conventional heating, the glucose yield increased by 24% and the hydrolysis time was reduced by 77%. Microwave irradiation significantly enhances the cellulose hydrolysis process in an ionic liquid medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under solvent-free conditions and with the help of ultrasonic irradiation, the synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]chromen and pyrano[3,2-c]quinolin derivatives was promoted by four different ionic liquids. All reaction was performed at 100 °C and had good to excellent yields. 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium acetate (A), 1-butyl-1-methylpiperidin-1-ium acetate (B), N,N,N-triethylbutan-1-aminium acetate (C), and tetrabutylammonium acetate (D) as perfect ionic liquids for this reaction show remarkable catalytic activity. The work was simply developed for the reaction of chalcones with 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one/4-hydroxycoumarin to perform pure products of pyran heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-based materials have attracted great attention from industry and academia in tribology because they are renewable, bio-degradable and easily accessible. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of bio-based materials used both as neat lubricants and additives on friction and wear performance. The evaluated lubricants include oleic acid, a mixture containing oleic acid and dodecyl amine in hexadecane and a neat ionic liquid composed of oleic acid and dodecyl amine. The influence of the additive concentration, ratio between acid and amine, and oscillation frequency under reciprocating contacts has been investigated. Surface analysis was conducted by optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results confirm that a small amount of oleic acid as an additive can provide limited friction reduction. Bio-based ionic liquid shows the lowest friction and wear coefficient in all testing conditions. A synergistic effect between oleic acid and dodecyl amine as an additive mixture has been observed when the two components are equimolar and the oscillating frequency is high. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of the wear track indicates that the tribological process enhances the ionic character of the additive mixture, improving the lubrication performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the optimal experimental conditions and mechanism of a novel functionalized ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([EMIM][Br]) for enhancing the wettability of coal powder is of great significance for reducing the harm of coal dust. This study determined the critical micelle concentration of [EMIM][Br] aqueous solution through ultraviolet(UV) absorption spectroscopy, and analyzed the mechanism of the influence of [EMIM][Br] aqueous solution on the wettability of coal using characterization methods such as contact angle, scanning electron microscope(SEM), automated surface area and porosity analyzer(BET), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR). The results showed that the critical micelle concentration of [EMIM][Br] aqueous solution was 0.005 mol/L, and the optimal experimental conditions were reaction temperature of 40°C, soaking time of 8 hours, and ratio of 1 g to 20 ml. After the action of [EMIM][Br] aqueous solution, the coal dust stomatal layer zone was developed, wedge-shaped stomata and sheet-filled cracks appeared, and the number of mesopores was increased. The content of hydrophilic functional groups such as C–O, carboxyl(–COOH), hydroxyl ether hydrogen bonds(OH...O), and hydroxyl self-consolidating hydrogen bonds(OH...OH) in the pulverized coal was increased, and the content of hydrophobic functional groups such as aryl hydrocarbons –CH3 and–CH2 was decreased, which improved the wettability of the pulverized coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the determination of ultra-trace cobalt by ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was developed. The trace cobalt was extracted by DLLME using the homemade reagent 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-dimethylaminobenzenamine (5-Br-PADMA) as chelating agent, the ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C6mim][PF6]) as extractant, and acetonitrile (CH3CN) as dispersing agent, and then determined by GFAAS. The factors affecting the cobalt extraction efficiency: the type and volume of extraction solvent and dispersive solvent, the concentration and dosage of chelating agent, and the pH of the solution, were explored using the one-way rotation method. Under the optimized conditions, the cobalt concentration showed excellent linearity in the range of 0.05–1.50 ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.026 ng/mL; the relative standard deviation (RSD) for the determination of the cobalt standard solution with the mass concentration of 1.0 ng/mL was 4.83% (n = 9). From the slope of the linear regression equation for the determination of cobalt obtained after extraction compared with that before extraction, the enrichment factor of the method was found to be 62, and the spiked recoveries were in the range of 94.0–104.4%. The method is characterized by low detection limit, high sensitivity, and environment friendliness as well as convenient and rapid operation for the determination of trace cobalt in water samples. The results of this method are satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of homogeneous catalysts dissolved in ionic liquids (ILs) is an established field of research. Thin IL films containing dissolved catalyst complexes can be immobilized on solid porous supports, thereby creating a heterogenized catalyst material. Aiming at the deliberate positioning of such supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalyst, we carried out investigations of two very similar Pt‐complexes: depending on the ligand periphery, the first one is homogeneously dissolved in the IL while the second one strongly enriches at the gas/IL interface. To study these different locations within thick IL films of approximately 1 mm thickness, we investigated the hydrogenation of ethene in a continuous pool‐reactor setup. The two complexes dissolved in the IL [C4C1Im][PF6] showed different activity which can be attributed to their different locations. At 313 K and 0.62 MPa total pressure, the surface‐enriched complex was approximately two times more active. However, under these conditions the formation of Pt particles could be observed, with the surface‐enriched complex exhibiting a stronger tendency for particle formation compared to the one homogeneously distributed in the IL, as derived from XPS and light‐scattering measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuning the selectivity of CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) solely by changing electrolyte is a very attractive topic. In this study, we conducted CO2RR in different aqueous electrolytes over bulk metal electrodes. It was discovered that controlled CO2RR could be achieved by modulating cations in the electrochemical double layer. Specifically, ionic liquid cations in the electrolyte significantly inhibits the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while yielding high Faraday efficiencies toward CO (FECO) or formate (FEformate) depending on the alkali metal cations. For example, the product could be switched from CO (FECO=97.3 %) to formate (FEformate=93.5 %) by changing the electrolyte from 0.1 M KBr‐0.5 M 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide (OmimBr) to 0.1 M CsBr‐0.5 M OmimBr aqueous solutions over pristine Cu foil electrode. In situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the ordered structure generated by the assembly of Omim+ under an applied negative potential alters the hydrogen bonding structure of the interfacial water, thereby inhibiting the HER. The difference in selectivity in the presence of different cations is attributed to the hydrogen bonding effect caused by Omim+, which alters the solvated structure of the alkali metal cations and thus affects the stabilization of intermediates of different pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Oilfield Chemistry is the property of Sichuan University, Oilfield Chemistry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The recent advancements of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in the synthesis of cobalt-based catalysts for water splitting is reviewed. ILs and DESs possess unique physical and chemical properties, serving as solvents, templates, and reagents. Combined with calcination techniques, their advantages can be fully leveraged, enhancing the stability and activity of resulted catalysts. In these solvents, not only are they suitable for simple one-step calcination, but also applicable to more complex multi-step calcination, suitable for more complex reaction conditions. The designability of ILs and DESs allows them to participate in the reaction as reactants, providing metal and heteroatoms, simplifying the preparation system of cobalt phosphide, sulfide, and nitride. This work offers insights into design principles for electrocatalysts and practical guidance for the development of efficient and high-performance materials for hydrogen production and energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely used in various fields due to their excellent properties. Despite their utility, there is limited knowledge regarding the phytotoxic properties of ILs and the mechanisms by which plants develop resistance to them. This is particularly true when considering the role of nitric oxide (NO) in response to ILs stress. Herein, we investigated the mechanism by which endogenous NO reduces the ILs’ phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis from the perspective of rhizosphere microorganisms. We investigated the impact of 1,3-dibutyl imidazole bromide (DIB) on microbial diversity and community in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis lines with varying endogenous NO levels, using a high throughput sequencing method. DIB did not affect microbial taxon numbers, richness, or evenness; however, it did alter microbial beta diversity and community structure in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis. Elevated endogenous NO increased fungal richness and evenness, shifted DIB’s impact on microbial community structure, and enriched more resistant species and toxin-decomposing species. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for plants to resist IL stress. Our study not only elucidates the toxicological mechanisms of ILs but also reveals the involvement of NO in plant responses to IL stress, providing valuable insights for future environmental risk assessments and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of bimetallic‐ionic liquid (IL) pincer catalysts Pd−M@IL were synthesized using low Pd‐loading amount (0.3 %) and adopting six kinds of ion liquids with the cation containing the imidazole ring, and then evaluated the catalytic activities toward 2‐ethylanthraquinone hydrogenation reaction with the purpose to produce H2O2. Under the reaction conditions of 60 °C, 0.30 MPa and 15 min reaction time, over the catalysts Pd−La@[BMIm]Ac/alu and Pd−La@[VBIM]Br/alu achieved high hydrogenation efficiency(9.4 g/L and 8.5 g/L) but also high selectivity toward the active anthraquinone (98.9 % and 99.6 %). Through characterizations of STEM, TPD, in‐situ XPS, etc., it illustrates that the pincer catalysts Pd−La@[BMIm]Ac/alu and Pd−La@[VBIM]Br/alu have much better dispersity than the bimetallic Pd−La/alu, these two ionic liquids of [BMIm]Ac and [VBIM]Br provide different local environment around Pd−La sites, which in turn modulate the catalytic activity of the pincer‐catalysts toward anthraquinone hydrogenation. DFT calculations disclose the unique electron transfer between ILs ([BMIm]Ac and [VBIM]Br) and Pd−La clusters and subsequent changes of energy barriers for anthraquinone hydrogenation. The work illuminates a facile strategy to design novel hydrogenation catalysts through combining the pincer microenvironment partially encapsulated by the cation and the anion of ionic liquids with the internal bimetallic sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid Organic‐Inorganic Halide Perovskites (HOIHPs) represent an emerging class of semiconducting materials, widely employed in a variety of optoelectronic applications. Despite their skyrocket growth in the last decade, a detailed understanding on their structure–property relationships is still missing. In this communication, we report two unprecedented perovskite‐like materials based on polyfluorinated imidazolium cations. The two materials show thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior resulting in the emergence of stable mesophases. The manifold intermolecular F ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ F interactions are shown to be meaningful for the stabilization of both the solid‐ and liquid‐crystalline orders of these perovskite‐like materials. Moreover, the structure of the incorporated imidazolium cation was found to tune the properties of the liquid crystalline phase. Collectively, these results may pave the way for the design of a new class of halide perovskite‐based soft materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly conductive Ti3C2Tx pseudo‐capacitors hold promise to expand energy density by utilizing ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes (e.g., 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis trifluoromethane sulfonyl imide, EMITFSI) that possesses broaden voltage window, resulting in various applications involving hybrid vehicle, rail transportation, and power system. However, abundantly random surface ‒OH terminations cannot maintain an extremely stabilized Ti3C2Tx layer spacing framework for efficient ion arrangements, increase ionic diffusion barriers, and decline in energy density. Herein, intensely chemical covalent bonding interactions of ‒SH, ‒COOH, and ‒NH2 terminated L‐cysteine molecules with ‒OH terminations are proposed to stabilize Ti3C2Tx and expand interlayer structure, allowing sufficient ionic transport and realizing high energy‐density Ti3C2Tx pseudo‐capacitors. It is found that, with cysteine molecules stayed flat to Ti3C2Tx layer, superior hydrophilic surface, and increased interlayer spacing to 1.51 nm, 2.16‐folds higher than Ti3C2Tx electrode, the Ti3C2Tx‒cysteine electrode delivered high capacitance of 279 F g−1 in EMITFSI/acetonitrile electrolyte. Assembled asymmetric Ti3C2Tx‒cysteine//activated carbon flexible device exhibited a high voltage of 2.9 V and a high energy density of 72.1 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 874 W kg−1, which could power various colored smart rollable flexible electronics at bent angle of 90°. Additionally, identical mechanisms are found in Ti3C2Tx‐amino acid systems, wherein amino acid stayed flat between Ti3C2Tx layers with optimized content, interlayer spacing, and capacitance, no matter amino acid in different charged feature and different sidechain lengths (e.g., glutamine, cysteine, and lysine). The present study provides systematically experimental evidence for improving ion accessibility in IL electrolytes based on an organic‐modified Ti3C2Tx electrode structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is gaining recognition as a highly promising, eco‐friendly self‐powered device for the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). To improve the performance of TENGs, diverse materials are employed as interlayers. However, challenges related to cost and stability persist. Herein, a strategy that incorporates ion‐containing electrolyte polymers as interlayers is presented. This approach effectively mitigates charge decay and maximizes TENG efficiency by leveraging the high charge capacitance of the ionic electric double layer (iEDL). The incorporation of iEDL into TENG results in an approximate tenfold increase in current density (10–92 mA m−2) and a 13‐fold increase in power density (2–26 W m−2). The robust energy generation capabilities of iEDL‐TENG enable the operation of 100 LED lights and the charging of a 470 µF capacitor. Furthermore, the demonstrated device exhibits significant stability across 10,000 operational cycles and effectively maintains its performance when subjected to external physical forces such as blade‐induced cuts, penetrating wounds, and severe crumpling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adrenaline (AD) is important in information transmission through the human central nervous system. Considering the significant biochemical functions of AD, the development of electrochemical sensors capable of detecting AD levels in living organisms has attracted considerable interest. In this study, AD was detected using electrochemical sensors developed based on Au nanoparticles/ionic liquids/N‐ and P‐co‐doped carbon nanotubes‐modified carbon cloth (AuNPs/ILs/N,P‐MWCNTs/CC) electrodes. AuNPs/ILs/N,P‐MWCNTs/CC composites were prepared on carbon cloth (CC) substrates using ionic liquids (ILs), N‐ and P‐co‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (N,P‐MWCNTs), and Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) as modified materials. The effects of pH and scanning speed were optimized and tested on the prepared composites. The results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) experiments showed that the modified ILs, N,P‐MWCNTs, and AuNPs effectively improved the oxidation performance of AD. In addition, the linear range obtained from the DPV scans of the AuNPs/ILs/N,P‐MWCNTs/CC composite material was 30–505 μmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.31 μmol/L. The fabricated sensors have good sensitivity (6.9 μA·mM−1·cm−2) for AD of 30–505 μM. Therefore, the electrochemical sensing method based on the AuNPs/ILs/N,P‐MWCNTs/CC composite material is a promising and reliable AD detection technology that also exhibits good selectivity in the presence of interfering substances such as folic acid and ibuprofen. In practical applications, this material can help realize real‐time AD detection to determine whether athletes use doping and other illegal drugs before competitions and to perform synchronous detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-fogging coatings/surfaces have attracted much attention lately because of their practical applications in a wide variety of engineering fields. In this study, we successfully developed transparent anti-fogging surfaces using a non-volatile and hygroscopic ionic liquid (IL), bis(hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium methanesulfonate ([BHEDMA][MeSO3]), with a high surface tension (HST, 66.4 mN/m). To prepare these surfaces, a layer of highly transparent, superhydrophilic silica (SiO2) nano-frameworks (SNFs) was first prepared on a glass slide using candle soot particles and the subsequent chemisorption of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). This particulate layer of SNFs was then used as the support for the preparation of the [BHEDMA][MeSO3] layer. The resulting IL-infused SNF-covered glass slide was highly transparent, superhydrophilic, hygroscopic, and had self-healing and reasonable reversible/repeatable anti-fogging/frosting properties. This IL-infused sample surface kept its excellent anti-fogging performance in air for more than 8 weeks due to the IL's non-volatile, HST, and hygroscopic nature. In addition, even if the water absorption limit of [BHEDMA][MeSO3] was reached, the anti-fogging properties could be fully restored reversibly/repeatably by simply leaving the samples in air for several tens of minutes or heating them at 100 °C for a few minutes to remove the absorbed water. Our IL-based anti-fogging surfaces showed substantial improvement in their abilities to prevent fogging when compared to other dry/wet (super)hydrophobic/(super)hydrophilic surfaces having different surface geometries and chemistries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SBA-15 and organic ionic liquid were incorporated in a post-grafting technique for generating a bifunctional ionic liquid embedded mesoporous SBA-15. The prepared heterogeneous catalyst was employed for the first time to synthesize N-alkylated indoline-2,3-dione at mild conditions to afford excellent yields in a short reaction time. The synthesized DABCOIL@SBA-15 catalyst was meticulously characterized by various techniques, such as FT-IR, solid-state 13C NMR, solid-state 29Si NMR, small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and N2 adsorption–desorption. Further, the morphological behavior of the catalyst was studied by SEM and TEM. The thermal stability and number of active sites were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Hammett equation was used to analyze the synergetic effect of the catalyst and substituent effects on the N-alkylated products of 5-substituted isatin derivatives, which resulted in a negative slope. This negative slope indicates a positive charge in the transition state. Notably, the DABCOIL@SBA-15 catalyst demonstrated its practicality by being reused for seven cycles with consistently high catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(1-butyl-1-methypyrrolidinium) perthiodicarbonate was obtained by the reaction of carbon disulfide with 1-butyl-1-methypyrrolidinium acetate ([BmPyrro][Ac]) in the liquid phase. Structural characterization of this original complex was achieved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C2S6·2C9H20N, consisted of two crystallographically 1-methyl-1-butyl pyrrolidinium cations and one perthiodicarbonate anion. The complex C2S6·2C9H20N crystallized in the monoclinic space group, C 2/c, and possessed the following cell parameters: a = 16.0970(10) Å, b = 14.7140(9) Å, c = 12.3280(8) Å, α = 90°, β = 112.3730(12)°, γ = 90°, V = 2700.11 Å3, and Z = 8, Z' = 0.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to some specific properties of adiponitrile (ADN) including high oxidative stability and high flash point, it is proposed as co‐solvent with an ionic liquid (IL) as a promising electrolyte solvent for application in magnesium batteries. Herein, we report a flexible film of gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) comprising a polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF‐HFP) in which a liquid electrolyte of Mg‐trifluoromethane sulfonate (Mg‐triflate) in the mixture of ADN:IL (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium triflate, EMITf) is immobilized for use in Mg‐batteries. The structural/morphological properties of the GPE film have been characterized via different physical techniques. The high ionic conductivity (σRT = 5.9 mS cm−1), wide potential range of oxidative stability (~4.18 V vs. Mg/Mg2+), high Mg‐ion transport number (tMg2+ = 0.67) and thermal stability up to ~160°C ascertain the compatibility of electrolyte film in magnesium batteries with high voltage cathode materials. The comparative studies of the interfacial‐stability and Mg‐stripping/plating tests on the two symmetrical cells with Mg and Mg/MWCNTs nanocomposite electrodes show the improved reversibility of the electrolyte film with Mg‐MWCNTs powder as anode material, compared with pure Mg‐powder. The overall results indicate that the GPE based on binary solvent mixture ADN:IL is high performance flexible electrolyte for Mg‐batteries with Mg‐MWCNTs powder as anode material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (IL) have emerged as the potential class of solvents for various chemical processes and reactions, including gelatinization and chemical modification of starch. Through various studies it has been established that expensive nature of ILs can be counter balanced by employing the mixture of IL/water instead of pure ILs. The IL/water system has the advantage to plasticize starch more effectively due to their synchronal effect and rational viscosity. The properties of ILs can be tempered by preferring particular cations/anions according to the specific type of starch which may be helpful in convenient dissolution and modification of starch. Starch can be modified by esterification or etherification reaction in IL medium to alter their properties and to use it in various application areas. Starch dissolution is subjected to various parameters like type of starch, nature of IL, ratio of IL/water, and temperature which has been discussed elaborately in the present review paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed a microwave-assisted ionic liquid extraction method to extract three alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, and berbamine) from the bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. . Initially, the impact of the type of ionic liquid and liquid-tosolid ratio on extraction efficiency was investigated through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, the effects of ionic liquid concentration, extraction time, and temperature on extraction efficiency were further explored. The Box-Behnken response surface methodology was then applied to optimize and obtained the optimal extraction process, which was subsequently compared with traditional extraction methods. The research findings indicated that [Bmim] [Br] solution exhibited the highest extraction efficiency for the alkaloids. The optimal extraction conditions included an ionic liquid concentration of 0. 31 mol/L, a temperature of 94°C, and an extraction time of 15 minutes. Under these conditions, the yields of berberine, palmatine, and berbamine were 0. 047%±0. 003%, 0.421%± 0. 011%, and 1.150%±0. 028%, respectively. Compared to the traditional water heating reflux method, the extraction efficiencies were 9. 3%, 12. 8%, and 23. 6% higher, respectively. This study demonstrates that the use of microwave-assisted ionic liquid extraction technology can efficiently extract alkaloids from the bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr., providing a theoretical basis and empirical support for the extraction of active components from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the utilization of an ionic liquid combination of solidified floating organic drop micro-extraction (IL-SFODME) to augment the concentration of trace amounts of lead, working as a preliminary stage before electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) analysis without the use of chelating agents. Key parameters impacting the microextraction efficiency—including pH, the volume of the ionic liquid (1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, HMIMPF6), temperature, extraction time, and stirring speed—were methodically examined to determine optimal conditions. Under detected optimized conditions, an enhancement factor of 71.2 was obtained for a 15 mL sample solution. The calibration curve exhibited linearity within the concentration range of 0.2–2.5 µg/L, with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.054 µg/L and a quantification limit (10σ) of 0.18 µg/L. For seven replicate measurements of 0.5 µg/L lead, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was ±2.30%. This method was effectively implemented to extract and quantify lead in both reference water and different real water samples, showcasing significantly efficient extraction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of nitrogen compounds from fuel via the conventional method, which is hydrodenitrogenation, is costly and involves catalysts and energy-intensive conditions (600 K and 300 atm). Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as a promising alternative solvent for the denitrogenation of fuel oil. However, certain ILs are expensive and challenging to synthesize, prompting the exploration of protic ionic liquid (PIL) substitutes, which offer similar advantages to ILs. This study utilized the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) to predict the phase equilibria for three PILs—triethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (TEA-TSA), triethylammonium salicylate (TEA-SA) and triethylammonium benzoate (TEA-BZ)—which were subsequently validated through experimental investigations. Liquid–liquid extraction experiments were conducted at 298 K and 1 atm, with pyrrole (serving as the model nitrogen compound) concentrations in n-hexadecane (representing the model fuel) ranging from 10 to 50 wt%. Additionally, the NRTL model effectively correlated the experimental tie lines. The obtained data indicated that TEA-TSA exhibited superior selectivity and distribution ratio compared to TEA-SA and TEA-BZ. All the ternary systems tested displayed positive slopes, suggesting a higher affinity of nitrogen compounds for the PIL. Supporting this observation, interaction energy (ΔE) and excess enthalpy (HE) were employed. The predicted outcomes revealed that TEA-TSA had high ΔE, and all PILs exhibited negative values of HE. The HE calculation underscored the significance of strong hydrogen bond interactions between pyrrole and the PIL for successful extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focused on the solubility of ethane in three promising ionic liquids {1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluormethylsulfonyl) imide [HMIM][Tf2N], 1-Butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium dimethyl-phosphate [BMIM][DMP], and 1-Propyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)-imide [PMIM][Tf2N]}. The solubilities were measured at 303.15 K to 343.15 K and pressures up to 1.4 MPa using a gravimetric microbalance. The overall ranking of ethane solubility in the ionic liquids from highest to lowest is the following: [HMIM][Tf2N] > [PMIM][Tf2N] > [BMIM][DMP]. The Peng–Robinson equation of state was used to model the experimental data using three different mixing rules: van der Waals one, van der Waals two, and Wong–Sandler mixing rules combined with the Non-Random Two-Liquid model. The average absolute deviations for the three mixing rules for the ionic liquids at the three temperatures were 4.39, 2.45, and 2.45%, respectively. Henry's Law constants for ethane in [BMIM] [DMP] were the highest (lowest solubility) amongst other ionic liquids studied in this work. The solubility ranking for the 3 ILs was confirmed by calculating their overall polarity parameter (N) using COSMO-RS. The selectivity of CO2 over C2H6 was estimated at three temperatures, and the overall ranking of the selectivity was in the following order: [PMIM][Tf2N] > [BMIM][DMP] > [HMIM][Tf2N] > Selexol. Selexol is an efficient and widely used physical solvent in gas sweetening. It has lower selectivity than the three ionic liquids studied. [PMIM][Tf2N], a promising solvent, has the highest selectivity among the three ILs studied and would, therefore, be the best choice if, in addition to carbon dioxide capture, ethane co-absorption was to be avoided. The enthalpy and entropy of solvation at infinite dilution were also estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, a polytetrahydrofuran-coated polyester fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) for the determination of doxycycline in human urine was described. The sol-gel polytetrahydrofuran sorbent proved to be superior against other sol-gel coated cellulose and polyester membranes tested. The effect of the extraction parameters including membrane surface area, sample pH and volume, salt concentration, extraction time, stirring rate, etc., on the extraction efficiency of the analyte was studied using the "one-factor-at-a-time" (OFAT) and Box–Behnken design approaches. The analytical method proposed was validated in compliance with FDA guidelines for bioanalytical procedures. The method was linear in the determination range of 100–5000 ng/mL with the determination coefficient of 0.9953. The limit of detection (LOD) and the lower limit of quantification for doxycycline was 17 and 100 ng/mL, respectively. The relative recoveries for intra-day and inter-day studies ranged from 98.5–112.2% and 89.6–96.8%, respectively. The relative standard deviation was lower than 14.7% in all cases, exhibiting good precision. The sol-gel polytetrahydrofuran-modified FPSE membranes were reusable for at least 30 times. The greenness of the developed method was evaluated using Sample Preparation Metric of Sustainability (SPMS) and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) metric tools. Finally, the analytical scheme was successfully employed for the quantitation of urinary doxycycline collected at various time points following the administration of doxycycline-containing tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges due to its persistent nature and current management limitations. This study explores the effectiveness of imidazolium-based neoteric solvents [Emim][OAc] and [Bmim][OAc] as catalytic co-solvents in the glycolysis of PET with ethylene glycol (EG). Reaction thermal kinetics showed that both ionic liquids (ILs) significantly enhanced the depolymerization rate of PET compared to traditional methods. The use of [Emim][OAc] offered a lower activation energy of 88.69 kJ·mol−1, thus making the process more energy-efficient. The contribution of key process parameters, including temperature (T), plastic-to-ionic liquid (P/IL) mass ratio, and plastic-to-solvent (P/S) mass ratio, were evaluated by means of a factorial analysis and optimized to achieve the maximum PET conversion for both neoteric solvents. The relevance sequence for both ionic liquids involved the linear factors T and P/S, followed by the interaction factors T×P/S and T×P/IL, with P/IL being the less significant parameter. The optimal conditions, with a predicted conversion of 100%, involved a temperature of 190 °C, with a P/IL of 1:1 and a P/S of 1:2.5, regardless of the IL used as the catalytic co-solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Conductive hydrogels prepared by electrohydrodynamic printing exhibit enhanced conductivity. • Ion-electron conductive hydrogel with MXene co-ILs composite conductive network. • Hydrogel exhibited good mechanical properties, excellent sensing performance, and high frost resistance. • Hydrogel-based flexible strain sensor for human motion detection and information transmission. Conductive hydrogels with high performance and frost resistance are essential for flexible electronics, electronic skin, and soft robots. Nonetheless, the preparation of hydrogel-based flexible strain sensors with rapid response, wide strain detection range, and high sensitivity remains a considerable challenge. Furthermore, the inevitable freezing and evaporation of water in sub-zero temperatures and dry environments lead to the loss of flexibility and conductivity in hydrogels, which seriously limits their practical application. In this work, ionic liquids (ILs) and MXene are introduced into gelatin/polyacrylamide (PAM) precursor solution, and a PAM/gelatin/ILs/MXene/glycerol (PGIMG) hydrogel-based flexible strain sensor with MXene co-ILs ion–electron composite conductive network is prepared by combining the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing method and in-situ photopolymerization. The introduction of ILs provides an ionic conductive channel for the hydrogel. The introduction of MXene nanosheets forms an interpenetrating network with gelatin and PAM, which not only provides a conductive channel, but also improves the mechanical and sensing properties of the hydrogel-based flexible strain sensor. The prepared PGIMG hydrogel with the MXene co-ILs ion–electron composite conductive network demonstrates a tensile strength of 0.21 MPa at 602.82 % strain, the conductivity of 1.636 × 10−3 S/cm, high sensitivity (Gauge Factor, GF = 4.17), a wide strain detection range (1–600 %), and the response/recovery times (73 ms and 74 ms). In addition, glycerol endows the hydrogel with excellent freezing (−60 °C) and water retention properties. The application of the hydrogel-based flexible strain sensor in the field of human motion detection and information transmission shows the great potential of wearable devices, electronic skin, and information encryption transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquid (IL) assisted liquid–liquid-extraction (LLE) has been emerged as fascinating pathway to extract gallium (Ga(III)) from electronic waste. The computational investigation of LLE invokes the UNIQUAC model with extended Pitzer–Debye–Hückel (PDH*) framework to accommodate long range interactions due to the presence of ions. The combination of quantum chemical calculation and global optimization technique have been incorporated to estimate the model parameters. Herein, phosphonium and ammonium-based ILs having 26 tie-lines are used for sole Ga(III) extraction and 14 tie-lines for co-extraction. The sole Ga(III) extraction exhibits deviation between 0.5 and 0.8%, and co-extraction ranges from 0.85 to 1.5% and thus highlights the goodness of estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in all walks of life and play a very important role. As complex systems composed of multiple materials with diverse chemical compositions, where different electrochemical reactions take place, battery interfaces are essential for determining the operation, performance, durability and safety of the battery. This work, set out to study the incorporation of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (LiFSI) doped 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm][TFSI]) ionic liquid into an archetype Ti‐based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) ((Ti) MIL125−NH2) to create a solid to quasi‐solid (depending on the amount of IL in the system), and how it affects not only ionic transport but also the structural properties of the IL/MOF electrolyte. Remarkably high ionic conductivity values (2.13×10−3 S ⋅ cm−1 at room temperature) as well as a lithium transference number (tLi=0.58) were achieved, supported by pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR experiments. Electrochemical characterization revealed reversible plating‐stripping of lithium and lower overpotential after 750 h at 50 °C. Additionally, a proof‐of‐concept solid state battery was fabricated resulting in a discharge capacity of 160 mAh ⋅ g−1 at 50 °C and 0.1 C rate after 50 cycles. This work presents a suitable strategy to dendrite suppression capability, allowing its implementation as interface modifiers in next‐generation solid‐state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New experimental vapour pressures and vaporisation enthalpies of the ionic liquids [2,4-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolium][NTf2], [2-methyl-4-ethyl-1,2,4-triazolium][NTf2], and [2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolium][NTf2] were measured using the Langmuir method in combination with the quartz crystal microbalance. New experimental vapour pressures and vaporisation enthalpies of the molecular liquids 1H-1,2,4-triazole, 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, 1-ethyl-1,2,4-triazole, and 1H-1,2,3-triazole were measured using the transpiration method. Structure–property relationships between molecular and ionic liquids were studied. These results will facilitate chemical engineering calculations of processes involving ILs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]