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At least 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Comment on “Solubilities of ammonia in basic imidazolium ionic liquids” [Fluid Phase Equilib. 297 (2010) 34–39]

The enthalpies of solvation of ammonia in imidazolium-based ionic liquids (and other associated thermodynamic properties) are re-analyzed based on the data of [Fluid Phase Equilib. 297 (2010) 34–39], correcting numerical errors in the original analysis. In contrast to the original conclusions, the re-analyzed data demonstrates that the enthalpy of solvation is not a strong function of alkyl chain length. Here, the errors and uncertainties of the analysis procedure are also discussed, suggesting that the strong observed temperature dependence of enthalpy may in fact be an artifact of the systematic neglect of the non-ideality of the ammonia solute.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ionic liquids as oil additives for lubricating oxygen-diffusion case-hardened titanium

This study attempts to use ionic liquids (ILs) as oil additives to lubricate oxygen-diffusion (OD) case-hardened titanium for improved friction and wear behavior. Four oil-soluble ILs were used as additives in a base oil for boundary lubrication of an OD-treated Ti-6Al-4V surface sliding against a bearing steel ball. The ILs improved the friction behavior to various extents and the two phosphate ILs clearly outperformed the conventional ZDDP. Unlike ZDDP that adversely caused a higher material loss, ILs exhibited excellent wear protection suggesting good material-chemical compatibility. Particularly, the carboxylate IL protected the OD-Ti surface from any measurable wear. As a result, the morphology and chemical composition of the worn surfaces and tribofilms were examined to gain insights of the anti-wear mechanism.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Thermal and Catalytic Decomposition of 2-Hydroxyethylhydrazine and 2-Hydroxyethylhydrazinium Nitrate Ionic Liquid

To develop chemical kinetics models for the combustion of ionic liquid-based monopropellants, identification of the elementary steps in the thermal and catalytic decomposition of components such as 2-hydroxyethylhydrazinium nitrate (HEHN) is needed but is currently not well understood. The first decomposition step in protic ionic liquids such as HEHN is typically the proton transfer from the cation to the anion, resulting in the formation of 2-hydroxyethylhydrazine (HEH) and HNO 3 . In the first part of this investigation, the high-temperature thermal decomposition of HEH is probed with flash pyrolysis (<1400 K) and vacuum ultraviolet (10.45 eV) photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (VUV-PI-TOFMS). Next, the investigation into the thermal and catalytic decomposition of HEHN includes two mass spectrometric techniques: (1) tunable VUV-PI-TOFMS (7.4-15 eV) and (2) ambient ionization mass spectrometry utilizing both plasma and laser ionization techniques whereby HEHN is introduced onto a heated inert or iridium catalytic surface and the products are probed. The products can be identified by their masses, their ionization energies, and their collision-induced fragmentation patterns. Further, formation of product species indicates that catalytic surface recombination is an important reaction process in the decomposition mechanism of HEHN. The products and their possible elementary reaction mechanisms are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Patterning a π-conjugated polyelectrolyte through sequential polymerization of a bifunctional ionic liquid monomer

An electronically conductive polyelectrolyte is prepared by the sequential polymerization of a bifunctional imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) monomer, composed of a thienyl and vinyl containing cation paired with a tetrafluoroborate anion. In the first step, potentiodynamic electropolymerization of the thienyl moiety forms a cationic polyalkylthiophene that is soluble in select organic solvents. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine the polymer p-doping potential (0.31 V) and the bipolaronic state (1.49 V). The polymer exhibits electrochromism, converting from red in the neutral state (lambda(max) = 443 nm) to dark blue in the polaronic state (lambda(max) = 819 nm). The solution-processable polymer can be cast into a film, masked and patterned by UV-initiated free radical polymerization of the vinyl moiety. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed that the insoluble crosslinked polyalkylthiophene-polyvinylimidazolium adopts a lamellar structure with a lattice spacing of 3.3 nm. Four-probe d.c. conductivity measurements determined the de-doped electrical conductivity was 1.0 x 10(-2) S/cm. The results underscore the importance of the anion in controlling the polymerization of IL monomers.

Ionic liquid↗
DOE OSTI2014

Leaching behavior of copper from waste printed circuit boards with Brønsted acidic ionic liquid

Highlights: • A Brønsted acidic ILs was used to leach Cu from WPCBs for the first time. • The particle size of WPCBs has significant influence on Cu leaching rate. • Cu leaching rate was higher than 99% under the optimum leaching conditions. • The leaching process can be modeled with shrinking core model, and the E{sub a} was 25.36 kJ/mol. - Abstract: In this work, a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim]HSO{sub 4}), was used to leach copper from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs, mounted with electronic components) for the first time, and the leaching behavior of copper was discussed in detail. The results showed that after the pre-treatment, the metal distributions were different with the particle size: Cu, Zn and Al increased with the increasing particle size; while Ni, Sn and Pb were in the contrary. And the particle size has significant influence on copper leaching rate. Copper leaching rate was higher than 99%, almost 100%, when 1 g WPCBs powder was leached under the optimum conditions: particle size of 0.1–0.25 mm, 25 mL 80% (v/v) ionic liquid, 10 mL 30% hydrogen peroxide, solid/liquid ratio of 1/25, 70 °C and 2 h. Copper leaching by [bmim]HSO{sub 4} can be modeled with the shrinking core model, controlled by diffusion through a solid product layer, and the kinetic apparent activation energy has been calculated to be 25.36 kJ/mol.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ambipolar Electrochemistry of Pre‐Intercalated Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene in Ionic Liquid Electrolyte

Abstract Cation intercalation with or without redox remains the dominant charge storage mechanism for two‐dimensional (2D) Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. Anion‐based charge storage remains unexplored due to intrinsic negative surface charge of MXenes preventing spontaneous intercalation of anions and irreversible oxidation of Ti at anodic potentials in aqueous electrolytes. In this work, we report on the ambipolar electrochemical behavior of the Ti 3 C 2 T x in ionic liquid electrolyte over a 2.5 V electrochemically stable window. The experiments are conducted on a thin Ti 3 C 2 T x film current collector coated with an electroactive layer of small flakes (∼150 nm) of Ti 3 C 2 T x pre‐intercalated with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐imide (EMIM‐TFSI) ionic liquid. Couples of redox peaks with a very small potential separation during the voltage sweep are observed at high negative (−0.75 V vs. Ag wire) and high positive (+0.75 V vs. Ag wire) potentials. Our experimental electrochemical data combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest feasibility of pseudo‐intercalation of TFSI anions between Ti 3 C 2 T x flakes. This study provides a pathway for elucidating anion intercalation for different MXene chemistries in solvent‐free electrolytes, which can lead to development of MXene based energy storage devices with improved performance.

Electrochemistry↗
NASA NTRS2011

Oxygen Extraction from Regolith Using Ionic Liquids

An important concern with long-duration manned space travel is the need to furnish enough materials to the vehicle, as well as the crew, for the duration of the mission. By extracting oxygen from the oxides present in regolith, propellant and life support could be supplied to the vehicle and the crew while in space, thereby limiting the amount of supplies needed prior to lift-off. Using a class of compounds known as ionic liquids, we have been able to lower the electrolysis operating temperature from 1600 C (molten oxide electrolysis) to less than 200 C, making this process much more feasible in terms of energy consumption and materials handling. To make this process ready for deployment into space, we have investigated what steps of the process would be affected by the low-gravity environment in space. In the lab, the solubilization of lunar regolith simulant in ionic liquid produces water vapor that is normally distilled out of solution and subsequently electrolyzed for oxygen production. This distillation is not possible in space, so we have tested a method known as pervaporation and have suggested a way this technique could be incorporated into a reactor design.

Barrios, Elizabeth A.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Divalent europium doped CaF 2 and BaF 2 nanocrystals from ionic liquids

A new, facile and quick synthesis method for Eu 2+ doped the alkaline earth fluorides was developed using ionic liquids as solvent, precursor and capping agent. Reductive atmosphere and very high temperatures were avoided, while still attaining the desired structure, small particle sizes and divalent oxidation state of the lanthanide. Here, this opens the door for the development of new Ln 2+ doped nanomaterials. Here, the successful Eu 2+ incorporation was proven by optical spectroscopic measurements which showed the spin and parity allowed f-d transitions of Eu 2+ in CaF 2 :Eu 2+ /BaF 2 :Eu 2+ . 4f 7 -4f 7 transitions could be observed at low temperatures (7 K).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Techno-economic and life cycle assessment of aluminum electrorefining from mixed scraps using ionic liquid

Aluminum production from bauxite ore uses significantly high amount of energy and capital expenditure. Recycle and reuse of aluminum can be economical and minimize the environmental impacts. Smelter based recycle and reuse of aluminum is used in recent days, however, it also uses high amount of energy with high cost of production and yields high life cycle impacts. The University of Alabama has developed aluminum electrorefining technology from mixed scraps using ionic liquids as an alternative to traditional smelter based recycle and reuse. This study has explored the techno-economical, and life cycle viability of that technology. An excel-based techno-economic and life cycle assessment model was developed at Idaho National Laboratory for techno-economic and life cycle assessment. SimaPro was used to get the necessary database for the life cycle assessment. This study determined that a 20,000 kg/day ionic liquid-based electrorefining system can be profitable with a net yearly profit of $2.00 million. Further, in terms of net global warming potential, it emits 0.92 kg CO 2 equivalent per kg of aluminum recycled, whereas the traditional smelter-based recycle technology emits 1.57 kg CO 2 equivalent per kg of aluminum recycled, and the aluminum production from bauxite ore emits 17.8 kg CO 2 equivalent per kg of aluminum produced. In other life cycle assessment categories, electrorefining of aluminum emits >88 % less than aluminum production from bauxite ore and it is also better than traditional aluminum recycling in six out of ten categories studied. This makes ionic liquid-based electrorefining technology a very promising technology in terms of process economics and environmental sustainability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electrode material–ionic liquid coupling for electrochemical energy storage

The development of new electrolyte and electrode designs and compositions has led to advances in electrochemical energy-storage (EES) devices over the past decade. However, focusing on either the electrode or electrolyte separately is insufficient for developing safer and more efficient EES devices in various working environments, as the energy-storage ability is determined by the ion arrangement and charge and/or electron transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface. Here, we assess the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical properties at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces in Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors using safe and electrochemically stable ionic-liquid electrolytes. Key reactions and interactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface, as well as geometric constraints and temperature effects, are highlighted. Building on the fundamental understanding of interfacial processes, we suggest potential strategies for designing stable and efficient ionic-liquid-based EES devices with emerging electrode materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Microstructure of room temperature ionic liquids at stepped graphite electrodes

Molecular dynamics simulations of room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [emim][TFSI] at stepped graphite electrodes were performed to investigate the influence of the thickness of the electrode surface step on the microstructure of interfacial RTILs. A strong correlation was observed between the interfacial RTIL structure and the step thickness in electrode surface as well as the ion size. Specifically, when the step thickness is commensurate with ion size, the interfacial layering of cation/anion is more evident; whereas, the layering tends to be less defined when the step thickness is close to the half of ion size. Furthermore, two-dimensional microstructure of ion layers exhibits different patterns and alignments of counter-ion/co-ion lattice at neutral and charged electrodes. As the cation/anion layering could impose considerable effects on ion diffusion, the detailed information of interfacial RTILs at stepped graphite presented here would help to understand the molecular mechanism of RTIL-electrode interfaces in supercapacitors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Vaporization behavior of tetraoctylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate ionic liquid

We determined the equilibrium vapor pressures, p e , of the ionic liquid tetraoctylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate ([P 8888 ][DEHP]) over the temperature range 409–495 K using mass loss Knudsen effusion. The p e versus temperature relationship compares well to 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C 8 mim][NTf 2 ]) but is lower than that of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C 2 mim][NTf 2 ]) when measured using the same technique. Here, we determined the discrepancies between the p e for [C 8 mim][NTf 2 ] and [C 2 mim][NTf 2 ] with previous studies is discussed. Finally, the enthalpy and entropy of vaporization for all three fluids are estimated from the Clasius-Clapeyron relation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multicomponent Phase Separation in Ternary Mixture Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

We investigate the phase behavior of ternary mixtures of ionic liquid, organic solvent, and lithium salt by molecular dynamics simulations. We find that at room temperature, the electrolyte separates into distinct phases with specific compositions; an ion-rich domain that contains a fraction of solvent molecules and a second domain of pure solvent. Here, the phase separation is shown to be entropy-driven and is independent of lithium salt concentration. Phase separation is only observed at microsecond time scales and greatly affects the transport properties of the electrolyte.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

CO 2 Chemisorption Behavior in Conjugated Carbanion-Derived Ionic Liquids via Carboxylic Acid Formation

Superbase-derived task-specific ionic liquids (STSILs) represent one of the most attractive and extensively studied systems in carbon capture via chemisorption, in which the obtained CO 2 uptake capacity has a strong relationship with the basicity of the anions. High energy input in desorption and side reactions caused by the strong basicity of the anions are still unsolved issues. The development of other customized STSILs leveraging an alternative driving force to achieve efficient CO 2 chemisorption/desorption is highly desirable yet challenging. Here, in this work, carbanion-derived STSILs were developed for efficient CO 2 chemisorption via a carboxylic acid formation pathway. The STSIL with the deprotonated malononitrile molecule ([MN]) as the anion exhibited much higher CO 2 uptake capacity than the one derived from 2-methylmalononitrile ([MMN]). Notably, this trend was opposite to their basicity ([MN] < [MMN]). Detailed characterization of the products, supported by density functional theory simulations of spectra and calculations of the reaction energetics, demonstrated that carboxylic acid was formed upon reacting with CO 2 via proton transfer in [MN]-derived STSILs but not in the case of [MMN] due to lack of an α-H. The preference of the carboxylic acid product over carboxylate formation was driven by the extended conjugation among the central sp 2 carbon, the as-formed carboxylic acid, and the two nitrile groups. The achievements made in this work provide an alternative design principle of STSILs by leveraging the extended conjugation in the CO 2 -integrated product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of water on the structure of a prototype ionic liquid

The influence of water on the structure of a prototype ionic liquid (IL) 1-octyl-3-methyimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (C8mimBF4) is examined in the IL-rich regime using high-energy x-ray diffraction (HEXRD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A many-body polarizable force field APPLE&P was developed for C8mimBF4 water mixture. It predicts structure factors of pure IL and IL-water mixture in excellent agreement with the HEXRD experiments. The MD results provide detailed insights into the structural changes from the partial structure factors, 2-D projections of the simulation box and 3-D distribution functions. Water partitioning with IL and its competition with BF4- for complexing the imidazolium rings was examined. The added water molecules occupy a diffuse coordination shell around the imidazolium ring but are not present around the alkyl tail. The strong coordination of the fluorine atoms of the BF4- anions to the imidazolium ring is not significantly changed by the addition of water. These results are consistent with the very small differences in the average structure between the pure IL and the mixture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

CO 2 capture in ionic liquid 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate: A concerted mechanism without carbene

Ionic liquids (ILs) provide a promising medium for CO 2 capture. Recently, the family of ILs comprising imidazolium-based cations and acetate anions, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMI + OAc - ), has been found to react with CO 2 and form carboxylate compounds. N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) is widely assumed to be responsible by directly reacting with CO 2 though NHC has not been detected in these ILs. Herein, a computational analysis of CO 2 capture in EMI + OAc - is presented. Quantum chemistry calculations predict that NHC is unstable in a polar environment, suggesting that NHC is not formed in EMI + OAc - . Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations indicate that an EMI + ion “activated” by the approach of a CO 2 molecule can donate its acidic proton to a neighboring OAc - anion and form a carboxylate compound with the CO 2 molecule. Analysis of this termolecular process indicates that the EMI + -to-OAc - proton transfer and the formation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylate occur essentially concurrently. Based on these findings, a novel concerted mechanism that does not involve NHC is proposed for CO 2 capture.

Yan, Fangyong↗