Investigation Of Ionic Liquids Research Articles

Ionic liquid–based aqueous biphasic system as an alternative tool for enhanced bacterial DNA extraction

BackgroundDeveloping an alternative and benign method for DNA extraction is imperative due to the high cost and potential harms associated with conventional techniques. Investigation of Ionic liquid (IL) as a solvent for DNA storage and stability revealed the ability of IL to assist DNA processes. IL–based aqueous biphasic system emerges as a comprehensive extraction platform capitalizing on the task–specificity of ILs and the wide applicability of ABS for biomolecule extractions. Therefore, it is beneficial to optimize an IL–based ABS specifically for DNA extraction, taking into account the fundamental interactions between the IL and DNA. ResultsThe primary objective was to design ABS consisting of Ammonium based ILs, and Potassium phosphate buffer as the salting–out agent for the partitioning of salmon sperm DNA. The analysis focused on optimizing biocompatible anions for the extraction. Moreover, the stability of the DNA in the IL rich phases was analysed to validate the method. The proposed process was then employed for extracting plasmid DNA from bacteria, demonstrating results comparable to those obtained with a commercially available kit. Further validation using agarose gel electrophoresis and transformation of the extracted DNA into E.coli were conducted, producing promising outcomes. Although there is room for improvement in terms of recovery of DNA and reusability of ABS, the described approach is comparable with the conventional one while being cost–effective, and showcases a noticeable and convincing link to eco–friendly processes. SignificanceThere is limited literature on IL–based ABS for DNA extraction, and the existing studies predominantly concentrate on systems derived from Cholinium ILs. However, their high hydrophilicity limits the choice of the second–phase forming component to polymers for the formation of ABS. Ammonium ILs efficiently form biphasic systems with various available salting–out agents, and biocompatible anions are introduced to mitigate the toxicity of the ILs.

Investigation of Ionic Liquids as Extraction Solvents for Separating Bicyclic Aromatic S/N-Compounds from FCC Diesel

To improve the quality of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) diesel, ionic liquids (ILs) were used as promising neoteric solvents to extract bicyclic S/N-compounds (quinoline and 1-benzothiophene) from FCC model oil. In addition to the thermodynamic properties, including solvent capacity and selectivity, physical properties such as viscosity and thermal stability are also considered as important factors in the IL screening process. 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2MIM][NTF2]) was selected as the most suitable extraction solvent by the COSMO-RS model, and the accuracy of this model was verified based on the collected experimental data. Liquid–liquid equilibrium experiments were performed to study the effects of the initial quinoline and 1-benzothiophene concentrations, mass solvent ratio, extraction stages, and the presence of other aromatics on the extraction efficiency. Then, the extraction mechanism and the differences in the extraction effects for the quinoline and 1-benzothiophene systems were explored by quantum chemical calculation and molecular dynamics simulation. The consistency between experiments and theoretical calculation indicates that the electrostatic interaction is the main reason for the difference in the extraction efficiency between the quinoline and 1-benzothiophene systems.

Investigation of ionic liquids with and without graphene as lubricant additive for metal/metal and metal/PEEK contacts over a wide temperature range

AbstractThe aim of the work is to improve tribological properties of an ATF oil by means of additives. Two ionic liquids (IL) and one IL with 0.1 wt.% graphene were chosen as candidates. The ILs were selected because of their promising surface interactions and proven synergy with anti‐wear additives. However, little is known about the addition of ILs to fully formulated lubricants, especially in the low temperature range. Therefore, static and sliding friction as well as wear were measured in an application‐relevant temperature range of −30 to 100°C using a rotating ball‐on‐3‐plate test. The best additive for ATF oil for material pairing 100Cr6/polyether ether ketone was 5 wt.% [P66614][TMPP][G] (halogen‐free) and for 100Cr6/sintered iron 3 wt.% [P66614][BTA]. The additives lead to a wear reduction of more than 50%. Furthermore, it could be observed that the selected ILs have different effects on the friction behaviour at the temperatures investigated.

Solid-Like Ordering of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids at Rough Nanostructured Oxidized Silicon Surfaces.

The investigation of ionic liquids (ILs) confined in a solid porous matrix is of particular interest considering that these substances are increasingly used as an electrolyte in devices employing nanostructured nanoporous materials for the electrodes. Furthermore, the confinement of the ILs into a porous matrix would allow overcoming the difficulties of their packaging, leakage, and portability. In order to support the applications, a deeper understanding of the interaction of ILs with the nanoporous solid material and its increased interface is required. In this work, we report on the modification of morphological and mechanical properties of the imidazolium-based [Bmim][NTf2] IL upon surface spatial confinement on a cluster-assembled, nanostructured, rough, oxidized silicon (ns-SiOx) surface. An atomic force microscopy investigation revealed that upon the interaction with the ns-SiOx film, [Bmim][NTf2] locally rearranges into ordered, layered, stiff, and poorly conducting solid-like domains, coexisting with, and embedded into, the liquid IL film. The observed interfacial layering of [Bmim][NTf2] deposited on ns-SiOx suggests that the behavior of the IL-electrode interface in photoelectrochemical devices employing nanostructured nanoporous materials can be far more complex than expected under the hypothesis of an IL-based electrolyte in the stable liquid phase. The observed effects reported in this work could in principle also occur inside the bulk nanoporous matrix, where they could be further amplified by the extreme spatial confinement.

Alkyd paint removal: Ionic liquid vs volatile organic compound (VOC)

The drive towards safer technology in removing paint from substrate requires switching from hazardous volatile organic compounds to greener alternative solvents. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been considered as relatively green solvents and employed in many applications. This study focusses on investigation of ILs as alternative green solvents for paint removal. In this regard, five imdazolium based ILs were studied for alkyd paint removal on coated wooden substrate. The effect of various anions such as dicyanamide [DCA], bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide [NTf2], hydrogen sulphate [HSO4], acetate [OAc] and chloride [Cl] was investigated. For benchmarking and comparison, three volatile organic solvents such as toluene, acetonitrile, and ethanol were used. Microscopic images showed that [DCA] anion gave significant impact on alkyd removal. In addition, [Bmim][DCA] gave highest swelling percentage of 23% whereas the other ILs did not show significant swelling. Viscosity, anion size and alkyd paint-IL interactions played important roles in removal efficacy. The prolonged immersion time in [Bmim][DCA] decreased the pull off adhesion strength up to 83.3% and consecutively promoted paint detachment from substrate. Similar infrared pattern of bare wooden stick and [Bmim][DCA] treated coated wooden stick indicates significant removal of paint by IL. The experimental results demonstrate promising application of IL as a green solvent for paint removal.

Trisubstituted Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids as Innovative Heat Transfer Media in Sustainable Energy Systems

One of the possible research directions for developing the modern energy sector is searching for innovative working fluids with exceptional properties, which leads to reducing energy consumption and the costs of the operation of the system. As a continuation of our investigations of ionic liquids (ILs) for their use as heat transfer fluids (HTFs), we present new thermophysical properties of 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]azanide ([C2MMIm][TFSI]) and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]azanide ([C4MMIm][TFSI]). Speeds of sound were conducted in the temperature range 298–323 K and in the pressure range 0.1–76 MPa. The temperature and pressure dependence of densities, isobaric heat capacities, and related quantities were obtained by acoustic method. The viscosities, the TGA, and the cytotoxicities were also conducted. The thermal conductivities, energy storage densities, Prandtl numbers, isobaric heat capacities, viscosities, densities, i...

Investigation of ionic liquids as additives to canola oil in minimum quantity lubrication milling of plain medium carbon steel

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) machining has been widely explored as an alternative to cutting fluids, which are known to be major sources of operator health hazards and environmental pollution. However, the lubricants employed in MQL machining have limitations and quest for a more sustainable and effective lubricant continues. Ionic liquids, which have been explored for many engineering applications including tribology, can be strong candidates as environmentally friendly lubricants for sustainable machining applications due to their eco-friendly nature and flexible physical as well as chemical properties. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of ionic liquids as lubricants in MQL machining, and to study their action mechanism as lubricants in extremely demanding conditions encountered in metal cutting. This paper presents the results of a pioneering study conducted to investigate the effects of three representative ionic liquids on the tribology of machining when applied as additives to vegetable oil (Canola) in MQL milling of a plain medium carbon steel. The results demonstrate that the presence of even small quantities of ionic liquids significantly affects the tribological conditions of the machining process, has a great potential to be applied to metalworking fluids in near dry machining conditions, and can be considered as a potential way to reduce forces during machining, thus reducing energy usage and achieving sustainable machining.

Investigations of ionic liquids on the infrared electroreflective properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

A semi-interpenetrating network including branched poly(ethylene oxide), nitrile butadiene rubber, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) used for infrared electroemissive device applications has been investigated using a screening of various ionic liquids based on imidazolium, piperidinium and pyridinium cations and fluorosulfonimide, trifluoromethane sulfonimide and tetrafluoroborate anions. Prior to device characterization and in order to have a better understanding of the influence of these ionic liquids on PEDOT-based devices, PEDOT films have been first synthetized by galvanostatic method. Cyclic voltammetry in 3-electrodes configuration of PEDOT layers in the whole set of ionic liquids have demonstrated a significant role of the cation in the redox process. In the case of the devices, the ionic mechanism has been identified by a simple and fast method consisting in studying the volume change of the PEDOT active layer. Among the 8 ionic liquids studied, 7 of them have shown the cation as the predominant mobile specie while, for one of them, both anions and cations were predominantly mobile species depending on time constant. Electrochemical, ionic conductivity and IR-optical properties of the devices swollen with the different ionic liquids have been then investigated. The devices behave in a similar manner both electrochemically and optically. Reflectivity contrasts can reach 27% over a wavelength range of 2.5–20µm, demonstrating the potential efficiency of such devices for thermal regulation of satellites in a space environment.

Investigation of ionic liquids as a pretreatment solvent for extraction of collagen biopolymer from waste fish scales using COSMO-RS and experiment

Collagen being an abundant natural biopolymer and also has many applications for bio-medical and non-biomedical uses, were extracted from waste fish scales using green route of ionic liquid pretreatment. To get insight on dissolution and extraction of collagen from fish scale using ionic liquids, COSMO-RS computational approach was used to identify the best ionic liquid. The 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2C1im][Ac]) ionic liquid based on low activity coefficient (inverse of solubility) and best fit sigma profile was selected for pretreatment. The ground fish scales were pretreated with [C2C1im][Ac] ionic liquid and further subjected to separation for obtaining the collagen. The collagen was obtained in the form of thin film with yield of 3.1±0.5% at 100°C for 12h treatment time. The obtained collagen was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectrometer, Powder X-rays Diffraction (PXRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX). The FTIR, UV–Vis and XRD analysis shows the characteristic peaks assigned to the collagen. The SEM analysis confirms the dissolution of collagen fibers in ionic liquid. The TGA analysis shows lower thermal stability of extracted collagen as compared to fish scales.

Investigation of Ionic Liquids as Novel Metalworking Fluids during Minimum Quantity Lubrication Machining of a Plain Carbon Steel

Metalworking fluids are a major cause of health hazards for operators apart from being sources of environmental pollution, thus necessitating research in dry and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) machining. Ionic liquids are a relatively new family of environment-friendly chemicals that have significant potential to be employed as lubricants in MQL machining. This paper presents the results of preliminary studies in which three ionic liquids based on the 1-methyl 3-butylimidazolium cation were applied as additives to vegetable oil in MQL machining of AISI 1045 steel under interrupted orthogonal cutting conditions. The results show that the presence of even minute quantities of ionic liquids can significantly affect the machining process through reduction in cutting forces and surface roughness of the machined workpiece, as compared to dry cutting, conventional flood-cooled cutting, and MQL machining with neat vegetable oil.

Improved solvation routes for the Bunsen reaction in the sulphur iodine thermochemical cycle: Part I – Ionic liquids

The Bunsen reaction is central to the Sulphur Iodine cycle, however large excesses of both water and iodine are currently employed to enable phase separation of the two acids produced. This causes separation issues later in the cycle and induces a large thermal burden for water evaporation. The use of solvents in the reaction has the potential to reduce these large excesses, thereby increasing the cycle efficiency. This paper investigates ionic liquids as solvents for the Bunsen reaction. Several potential ionic liquids are identified based on their anion properties. The extraction of HI into the ionic liquid is then investigated experimentally. [FAP]− ionic liquids were examined but their extreme hydrophobicity prevented water being taken up into the organic phase, severely retarding the extraction of acid by the solvent. Results for the [TMPP]− ionic liquid showed discrepancies in the component balance and it is thought that the solvent may be susceptible to hydrolysis. The extraction of acid by the [Tf2N]− ionic liquids was more promising, the amount of acid extracted being of the order of 20%. However, the amount of protons and iodide ions extracted by the solvents were not equivalent and evidence is presented demonstrating the presence of an ion exchange mechanism. None of the ionic liquids tested are therefore suitable for use in the Bunsen reaction, however the properties of an ionic liquid can be tailored by the choice of anion and cation. Further investigation of ionic liquids is necessary before they can be conclusively ruled out.

Investigation of ionic liquids under Bi-ion and Bi-cluster ions bombardment by ToF-SIMS

A systematic study of five different imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide were carried out by means of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in positive and negative ion mode. The compounds were measured under Bi-ion and Bi-cluster ions (Bi(2-7)(+), Bi(3, 5)(2+)) bombardment, and spectral information and general rules for the fragmentation pattern are presented. Evidence for hydrogen bonding, due to high molecular secondary cluster ions, could be found. Hydrogen bonding strength could be estimated by ToF-SIMS via correlation of the anionic yield enhancement with solvent parameters.

Investigation of Ionic Liquids for the Separation of Butanol and Water

With the continual rise in the cost of fossil fuel based energy, research into economic and sustainable alternatives is of increasing importance. One significant source of increased cost and demand is the consumption of fossil fuels for automotive fuels. While ethanol has received the most attention as a fuel additive; butanol could be a better direct fuel alternative owing to its physical properties and energy value when compared to ethanol. Commercial butanol is nearly exclusively produced from petroleum feedstocks currently; however, some recent interest has begun to refocus on its generation via fermentation. Unfortunately, this production is limited due to the nature of the process and the use of energy-intensive separation techniques. Ionic liquids are novel green solvents that have the potential to be employed as an extraction agent to remove butanol from the aqueous fermentation media. A hurdle to this potential is the limited availability of solubility data for ionic liquids. This research investigates the phase behavior of two ionic liquids, butanol, and water. Additionally, issues related to the implementation of the investigated ionic liquids are discussed.

Investigation of ionic liquids as reaction media for enzymatic enantioselective acylation of amines

The use of ionic liquids as reaction media for lipase-catalyzed enantioselective acylation of 1-phenylethylamine ( 1) and 2-phenyl-1-propylamine ( 2) with 4-pentenoic acid was investigated. The best performing ionic liquid for each of these amines as well as its solvent properties were very different. Preparative scale kinetic resolution of 1 was performed efficiently in 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulphonate.

Ionic Liquids and Chirality: Opportunities and Challenges

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Investigation of ionic liquids as electrolytes for carbon nanotube electrodes

The use of ionic liquids (IL) as electrolytes for electrochemical applications involving carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes has been investigated in a brief initial study. The use of IL electrolytes in conjunction with CNT electrodes has proved possible and advantageous. Ionic liquids provide relatively high conductivity, wide potential window (up to 5.5 V) along with chemical stability and nonvolatile nature. While some decrease in the electrode capacitance and charging rate are observed in IL with respect to conventional electrolytes, the magnitude of the decrease is not substantial. The general well defined electrochemical behaviour of CNT electrodes in IL, coupled to the wide potential window and other advantages of these electrolytes, suggest new avenues for the design of capacitors, batteries and electromechanical actuators.