Abstract
Here we report the synthesis of pyrrolidinium meta-nitrophenolate; a novel ultraviolet and visible light absorbing protic ionic liquid prepared using an environmentally friendly process via the proton transfer reaction. Characterization shows nearly complete ionization at a ΔpKa separation of 3.31, which is much lower than that of conventional protic ionic liquids. We report that pyrrolidinium meta-nitrophenolate has a room temperature electrochemical window in excess of 10 V. The combined optical and electrochemical properties of pyrrolidinium metanitrophenolate suggest it could be used as an electrolyte additive in photovoltaic devices to improve device stability.
Highlights
IntroductionThe characteristic high thermal stability [2,3], low volatility [4], high ionic conductivity [4] and low flammability of ionic liquids has attracted interest in in their use as electrolytes and solvents which can serve as catalysts [5]
Protic ionic liquids (PILs) are a type of ionic liquid synthesized by the transfer of a proton from an acid to a base forming a permanently charged anion (A-) and a protonated cation (HB+) [5]
Conventional knowledge of protic ionic liquids would suggest that a low ∆pKa separation would result in poor ion conductivity, we find that the ion conductivity of [PYR+][MNP-] shown in Figure 3 compares well to that of typical protic ionic liquids with much greater ∆pKa separations [40]
Summary
The characteristic high thermal stability [2,3], low volatility [4], high ionic conductivity [4] and low flammability of ionic liquids has attracted interest in in their use as electrolytes and solvents which can serve as catalysts [5]. In particular ionic liquids with melting points below 100°C (or in some literature 25°C) commonly referred to as a room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL’s) have attracted interest as green solvents and electrolytes [6]. Protic ionic liquids (PILs) are a type of ionic liquid synthesized by the transfer of a proton from an acid to a base forming a permanently charged anion (A-) and a protonated cation (HB+) [5].
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