Physical Properties Of Solvents Research Articles

New insight of solvent-replacement-induced damage to pores of cement stone by comparison with 1H NMR relaxometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and nitrogen adsorption

The consensus on the damage to pore structure of cement-based materials caused by solvent-displacement-drying method has yet not been achieved. This work explored the effect of replacing pore water with ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, cyclohexane and acetone on the pore parameters of hardened white cement paste by means of low field NMR, mercury intrusion porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption techniques, with direct-drying (oven-drying and vacuum-drying) as the control. The results show that the degree of damage to the pore structure after secondary-solvent-replacement is close to that of direct- drying in terms of porosity, total pore area, characteristic pore size and pore size distribution. The difference of pore parameters of samples dried by different solvent-displacement is caused by the physical properties of solvents and the reaction with hydration products. Furthermore, thermal analysis results have confirmed the reaction between acetone and hydration products to generate a dark brown substance. If the possible chemical reaction between organic solvents and hydration products is not considered, the pore structure of cement stone can be well protected by replacing pore water with methanol.

Variation of Extraction Yield and Droplet Size during Emulsification Solvent Extraction of Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid

This research focuses on emulsification solvent extraction for purifying wet-process phosphoric acid. The effects of various parameters, including stirring speed, phase ratio and emulsification time on the extraction yield and droplet size distribution were investigated. The optimal conditions were determined. The influence of time and physical properties of solvent on average droplet diameter was fitted by dimensional analysis. The results showed that the mathematical model has a strong agreement with the experimental data. This model was reliable to predicting the droplet size in different conditions of manufacturing emulsion.

Hydrodynamics of countercurrent flow in an additive-manufactured column with triply periodic minimal surfaces for carbon dioxide capture

Computational investigation of the countercurrent flows in an additive-manufactured (AM) column packed with triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) is challenging. Multiphase flow simulations using the volume of fluid (VOF) method can explain the column’s hydrodynamic characteristics, including interfacial area, liquid holdup, pressure drop, flow regime, etc. The interfacial area is a key factor dictating the mass transfer via the absorption process, and thereby the overall efficiency of the column. The impacts of a solvent's physical properties, liquid and gas loads, and contact angle on the hydrodynamics are extensively explored. The solvents include traditional solvent (monoethanolamine [MEA]) used in industry as well as water-lean solvent (EEMPA) as a prospective solvents for carbon capture. As expected, interfacial area and liquid holdup increase with increasing liquid loads (qL). The EEMPA exhibits higher values for the interfacial area and liquid holdup compared to those for the MEA. The dry and wet pressure drops per unit length in the column at different gas loads (FG) are calculated and further compared with the empirical correlations for traditional packings. At low gas loads, i.e., in the preloading regime, the predicted values of the wet and dry pressure drops match well with the corresponding values calculated from available correlations. The gas load has a marginal impact on the interfacial area at its lower value, but the higher value of FG(>2.18Pa) causes flooding in the column. The effect of varying contact angles on the interfacial area and liquid holdup in the preloading regime is also studied. Both interfacial area and liquid holdup decrease with the increase in the value of the contact angle. Overall, the effect of the contact angle on the interfacial area is more pronounced than other parameters influencing the interfacial area.

Influences of material and processing conditions on the depolymerization speed of anhydride-cured epoxy during the solvent-assisted recycling

Thermosetting polymers with permanent crosslinking networks have been intensively used in high-performance applications requiring thermal stability, chemical resistance, and structural integrity. However, they are extremely hard to be reprocessed and recycled using conventional techniques. The recently developed solvent-assisted recycling technique is shown to depolymerize and recycle thermoset wastes using low-toxic solvents and mild processing conditions. The macromolecular polymer chains can be cleaved at target covalent bonds on the chain backbone through bond exchange reactions with solvent molecules. In this study, the influences of various material and processing conditions on the network depolymerization speed are studied from both experimental and theoretical points of view. A diffusion-reaction chemomechanics modeling framework is defined to link the physical properties of organic solvent and microscale reaction kinetics to the overall depolymerization speed of thermosets at various material and processing parameters. The study reveals how the temperature, network crosslinking density, and physical properties of the solvent, in particular, the solvent diffusivity and solvent/polymer interactions would affect the depolymerization speed. It enhances our understanding of the underlying fundamentals of thermoset recycling using organic solvents, which provides valuable insights for industrials to optimize the recycling conditions and develop appropriate strategies for waste management. • Influencing mechanisms of various material and processing parameters are revealed. • A theory is defined to link solvent properties to the depolymerization speed. • There is an optical content of good solvent to maximize the depolymerization speed. • There are threshold values for solvent hydroxyl-hydrocarbon ratio and interaction parameters.

Multiphase boundaries and physical properties of solvents/heavy oil systems under reservoir conditions by use of isenthalpic flash algorithms

In this paper, the newly developed techniques have been applied to determine multiphase boundaries and physical properties of solvent(s)/heavy oil mixtures at various pressures and temperatures in pressure–temperature (P-T), enthalpy-temperature (H-T), and pressure-enthalpy (P-H) phase diagrams, respectively. Theoretically, the Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR EOS) incorporated with a modified alpha function as well as the previously developed enthalpy calculation algorithm are used to predict the multiphase boundaries of the solvent(s)/heavy oil systems consisting of non-hydrocarbon solvents of CO2 and dimethyl ether (DME) as well as hydrocarbon solvents of C3H8 and n-C4H10. The PR EOS associated with the recently modified alpha function is found to be accurate in reproducing the experimentally measured VL1L2 (V represents the vapour phase, L1 denotes the high density hydrocarbon-rich liquid phase, and L2 refers to the low density CO2 liquid phase) three-phase boundary pressures with an overall absolute average relative deviation (AARD) of 2.01% and a maximum average relative deviation (MARD) of 4.34%, respectively. In addition, the VL1L2 three-phase boundaries are expanded and tended to move toward the region with higher temperatures and lower pressures in the P-T phase diagram with the addition of either C3H8 or n-C4H10 to CO2/heavy oil systems compared to those of only CO2 exists in heavy oil systems. Also, the new theoretical model developed in this study is able to reproduce the experimentally measured VL1 two-phase boundaries of alkane solvents/CO2/heavy oil mixtures as well as DME/heavy oil mixtures with an AARD of 4.52% and 2.88%, respectively. The enthalpy changes rapidly with variation of temperature in both H-T and P-H phase diagrams within the three-phase region.

Impacts of various solvents in ultrasonic irradiation and green synthesis of platinum nanoparticle

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) with excellent physicochemical properties have been produced using various techniques, including sonochemistry method. However, the effect of solvent type on the irradiation power and structure, morphology and colloidal stability of Pt NPs synthesized via sonication has received less attention. In this work, Pt NPs were sonochemically-assisted green synthesized in various solvents (water, ethanol and methanol) using the Prosopis farcta fruits extract (PFFs) as a reducing agent. The structure, morphology and colloidal stability (surface charge) of the synthesized Pt NPs were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Zeta potential, respectively, for exploring the physicochemical properties of Pt NPs. The Pt NPs produced were a face-centred cubic structure of crystalline Pt and mainly semi-spherically shaped with sizes range from1.6 nm to 5 nm. It was found that the interaction of the solvent with Pt NPs in the presence of ultrasound plays an important role in modulating particle size and surface charge. TEM results demonstrated the smallest NPs size of Pt NPs was acquired in methanol. The stability of Pt NPs in water, ethanol and methanol was −31 mV, +2.14 mV and −6.76 mV, respectively. This shows that the size and surface charge (zeta potential) of Pt NPs depends on the solvent's physical properties (viscosity, boiling point, and polarity).

Choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents as potential solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds from olive leaves: Extraction optimization and solvent characterization

This study evaluates the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) prepared with choline chloride ([Ch]Cl) and carboxylic acids for phenolic compound extraction from olive leaves. These extracts were then compared to those obtained using ethanol. The effects of temperature and water addition during DES- and ethanol-based extractions were analyzed using response surface methodology. Due to the lack of solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) data for [Ch]Cl + acetic acid, SLE, and DES density and viscosity with and without water addition were measured and analyzed. [Ch]Cl:acetic acid (54.1 °C, 50.0% water addition) extracted 15% more phenolic compounds than ethanol (54.1 °C, 0.5% water addition), according to UHPLC-MS based analyses. SLE analyses showed that [Ch]Cl + acetic acid presented a eutectic region at close to a 1:2 molar ratio. DES precursors and water addition influenced solvent physical properties and phenolic compound yield. DES was confirmed to be an innovative, strong solvent for phenolic compound extraction from olive leaves.

Microporous polyarylate membrane with nitrogen-containing heterocycles to enhance separation performance for organic solvent nanofiltration

The removal of small molecular weight impurities via organic solvent nanofiltration is urgently needed. 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene (BHPF) was modified to synthesize a novel nitrogen-containing heterocyclic monomer (mBHPF). Microporous polyarylate thin-film composite (TFC) membranes of trimesoyl chloride and mBHPF were prepared via interfacial polymerization. The enhanced microporosity and hydrophilicity were achieved by using nitrogen-containing heterocyclic building blocks. Rejections to dyes with a molecular weight greater than 700 remained remarkable (over 98%) in methanol while the permeances of methanol, ethyl alcohol and acetone improved to 14.49, 4.57 and 10.06 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, respectively, much higher than the typical-used commercial membranes, such as MPF-44 or MPF-50 from Koch. Moreover, based on physical properties of solvents and the structure of polyarylate membranes, a model that had great potential in the prediction of pure organic solvent flux was established. This method provides ways to form microporous TFC membranes and predict separation performance for organic solvent nanofiltration.

Solvents Effect on the Morphology and Stability of Cu/CuO Nanoparticles Synthesized at High Fluence Laser Ablation

AbstractCu/CuO NPs were synthesized by ablating Cu target using nanosecond Nd:YAG pulsed laser operating at 1064 nm with 8 ns pulse duration in three different solvents viz: ethylene glycol (EG), deionized water (DI) and ethanol (Eth). The effects of these three solvents at high laser fluence of 40 J/cm2 was investigated to study the stability and morphology of nanoparticles using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The morphology of these nanoparticles are dependent on the physical properties of solvents (like viscosity, conductivity, polarity and enthalpy) used in laser ablation. EG and DI shows tadpole and necklace like structure whereas in Eth hollow structures were observed. The crystallinity of nanoparticles were confirmed by HRTEM, SAED and XRD analysis. In all the three solvents the characteristic absorption and emission peaks of Cu and CuO nanoparticles were observed and have been elaborately discussed in this paper. In addition, the detailed growth kinematics of nanoparticles involved in the process of laser ablation technique have been highlighted.

Comparative solvent quality dependent crystallization in solvent vapor annealing of P3HT:PCBM thin films by in-situ GIWAXS

We present a novel in-depth study correlating multiple solvent properties (boiling point, vapor pressure, and solubilities of P3HT and PCBM) on P3HT and PCBM crystal growth kinetics in blend thin films via in-situ GIWAXS in conjunction with multiple substrate energies. Solvent vapor annealed (SVA) P3HT:PCBM films in a closed chamber, saturated with different solvents (o-dichlorobenzene (DCB), o-xylene, tetrahydrothiophene (THT), toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and carbon disulfide (CS2)) were studied in real time. We observed that structure growth and dissolution kinetics of the both P3HT and PCBM crystals largely depend on physical properties of solvent and relative solubilities of P3HT and PCBM. The film morphology of the annealed films resulted in PCBM enrichment and occasional crystallization occurred at the solvent vapor saturated air interfaces. We observed strikingly different PCBM crystallization upon annealing of the films when cast from THF resulting in highly ordered PCBM crystals at the film surface. THF has high vapor pressure and relatively low solubilities for both P3HT and PCBM. At the other extreme CS2 produced the lowest crystallinity due to its very high vapor pressure such that the solvent evaporates before significant crystallization can occur. We characterized all the annealed samples using AFM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and XPS. AFM probed topographic structures with coarsening of both the P3HT and PCBM domains at air surface by solvent annealing. We observe via UV-vis spectroscopy that, in general, intrachain electronic delocalization and interchain electron transitional jump due to π-π stacking increases in the post SVA films. This indicates that the chains are better organized with increased conjugation lengths. SVA has a substantial effect on P3HT monomer to PCBM ratio as determined by XPS at the polymer-air interface. In all cases, relative to the P3HT monomer:PCBM ratio of as-cast films from DCB, the air surfaces became more enriched by PCBM with SVA.

Multiphase flow studies for microscale hydrodynamics in the structured packed column

Post combustion carbon capture by solvent absorption in a structured packed column is a promising technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling of such a column is a challenging multiscale problem due to the range in length and time scales. The microscale hydrodynamics play a key role in the overall column efficiency with the interfacial area significantly influencing the mass transfer between the gas and liquid phases. In this context, multiphase flow simulations using the volume of fluid (VOF) method in a representative elementary unit (REU) of the packed column can provide fundamental insights into the microscale hydrodynamics, such as, interfacial area and liquid holdup. The present study systematically examines the impact of various factors (e.g., physical properties and contact angle) on the interfacial area. The results are compared with existing correlations and a scaling analysis is also performed. The solvent physical properties are characterized by the Kapitza number (Ka), a dimensionless number that depends only on fluid properties. So that the Ka number decreases with increasing viscosity. At a fixed liquid load, the interfacial area and liquid holdup are observed to increase with decreasing Ka number. The impact of contact angle (i.e., solid surface characteristics) is effectively investigated by modifying the wall boundary conditions. The interfacial area and liquid holdup are found to decrease with increasing contact angle. Subsequently, a phenomenological correlation for interfacial area is proposed that includes the impact of these parameters. This correlation may be used to predict the interfacial area for gas-liquid flow in a structured packing for rivulet to fully wetted flow regimes.

Hydrodynamics of the rivulet flow over corrugated sheet used in structured packings

A key factor influencing the overall efficiency in a structured packed column, such as used for solvent absorption, is wetting of the corrugated sheets. Computational fluid dynamics modeling of solvent absorption is a multi-scale problem with flow over a corrugated sheet providing a relatively simple setup to investigate the microscale flow phenomena present in these complex systems. Accordingly, multiphase flow simulations of rivulet flow over a corrugated sheet were systematically carried out over a wide range of solvent physical properties and contact angles using the volume of fluid method. A scaling analysis for wetted and interfacial areas was performed on the simulation results, and a theory for interfacial area in terms of Kapitza number is proposed. The advantage of the Kapitza number is that it only depends on fluid properties and is independent of flow parameters. The results show that the interfacial area of the rivulet decreases as the Kapitza number increases for a given contact angle and flow rate. The effects of the corrugation angle on the interfacial area were also extensively investigated. The interfacial area shows non-monotonic variation with increasing corrugation angle, i.e, it first increases until 45° and then it decreases. Hence, 45° can be considered the optimum corrugation angle for enhanced interfacial area in this setup.

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over CNT-supported cobalt catalyst: effect of magnetic field

In the present work, the cobalt catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by impregnation method in the presence and absence of magnetic field. The prepared catalysts were employed to yield higher hydrocarbons via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. It is explored that using magnetized water can effectively change the catalyst geometry in impregnation catalyst preparation method. For the preparation of different sizes of cobalt particles on the CNTs support, the physical properties of solvent (water) in impregnation process were changed using the magnetizing process. The results showed that the average particle sizes of impregnated cobalt nanoparticles were decreased by using magnetized water in impregnation step. In addition, in the magnetized treated cobalt catalyst, the cobalt particles mostly dispersed outside the tubes because the capillary forces decreased by reducing water surface tension. Furthermore, the experimental results showed that the probability of chain growth (α) and selectivity to heavier hydrocarbons increased in magnetized water treatment catalysts.

PMMA/PS coaxial electrospinning: core–shell fiber morphology as a function of material parameters

Core–shell fibers of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) have been successfully electrospun by coaxial electrospinning. To evaluate the influence of the solvent on the final fiber morphology, four types of organic solvents were used in the shell solution while the core solvent was preserved. Morphological observations with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy revealed that both core and shell solvent properties were involved in the final fiber morphology. To explain this involvement, alongside a discussion of the Bagley solubility graph of PS and PMMA, a novel criterion based on solvent physical properties was introduced. A theoretical model based on the momentum conservation principle was developed and applied for describing the dependence of the core and shell diameters to their solvent combinations. Different concentrations of core and shell were also investigated in the coaxial electrospinning of PMMA/PS. The core–shell fiber morphologies with different core and shell concentrations were compared with their single electrospun fibers.

Dispersions of Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide MXene in Organic Solvents

Two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene has attracted a great deal of attention in the research community and has already showed promise in numerous applications, but only its dispersions in aqueous solutions have previously been available. Here we show that Ti3C2Tx can be dispersed in many polar organic solvents, but the best dispersions were achieved in N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, propylene carbonate, and ethanol. The dispersions were examined by measuring the concentration and absorbance spectra of MXene in organic solvents as well as correlating the concentration to solvent physical properties, such as surface tension, boiling point, and polarity index. Hildebrand and Hansen solubility parameters were additionally used to provide an initial understanding of how Ti3C2Tx MXene behaves in organic media and potentially develop quantitative correlations to select solvents and their combinations that can disperse Ti3C2Tx and other MXenes. Using this analysis, ...

Kinetics of CO2 absorption in aqueous hexamethylenediamine

In this work, kinetics of CO2 absorption in aqueous hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) has been investigated in the temperature range of 30–60°C using a reaction calorimeter. Aqueous solutions of HMDA studied in this work are 5, 10, 20 and 30 mass%. Physicochemical and transport properties such as density, viscosity, physical solubility which are required to analyse the kinetics of CO2 absorption are measured. Pure component physical properties of HMDA are also measured. Mixed solvent physical properties are correlated with the pure component physical properties using suitable models. Under pseudo-first-order regime, second order rate constant for (HMDA+H2O+CO2) system is evaluated using zwitterions mechanism and correlated using Arrhenius power law expression. Reaction order is found to be unity with respect to both amine and CO2. Our work shows very high reaction kinetics for this system compared to conventional solvent monoethanolamine (MEA). Second order rate constant for the system studied is found to be 41,703m3kmol−1s−1 at 30°C (k2,MEA=7560m3kmol−1s−1 at 30°C) with activation energy of 27.6kJ/mol.

Optical Characterization of an N,N′-Dicyclohexyl-3,4:9,10-Perylene bis(Dicarboximide) Langmuir–Blodgett Film for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds

ABSTRACTLangmuir–Blodgett thin-film fabrication and gas-sensing properties of a novel N,N′-dicyclohexyl-3,4:9,10-perylene bis(dicarboximide) material are reported. Surface plasmon resonance was used to study the deposition process. Fitted data were used to evaluate the refractive index and the thickness of the material. Thickness of a single layer and refractive index were determined to be 0.43 ± 0.04 nm and 1.52 ± 0.07, respectively. Responses of films to chloroform, benzene, and toluene were measured by surface plasmon resonance. Changes in reflectivity implied swelling of the perylendiimide film during adsorption and may be explained by the capture of organic molecules. Fick’s law for early-time diffusion was used to characterize the swelling processes. Diffusion coefficients for swelling were proportional to the square root of time and were correlated with volatile organic compounds. Responses of N,N′-dicyclohexyl-3,4:9,10-perylene bis(dicarboximide) films to volatile organic compounds were characterized based on the physical properties of solvents. Films were more sensitive to chloroform compared to other volatile organic compounds.

Tertiary Butyl Nitrite Triggered Nitration of Phenols: Solvent‐ and Structure‐Dependent Kinetic Study

ABSTRACTNitration of phenols with tertiary butyl nitrite (TBN) obeyed second‐order kinetics with a first‐order dependence on [TBN] and [phenol] under acid‐free conditions. Reaction rates were significantly altered by a change in the dielectric constant and other physical properties of solvent. The rate of nitration increased with an increase in temperature (303–323 K) in different solvent media (acetonitrile, dichloroethane, CCl4, dimethyl formamide (DMF), and toluene). The rates of nitration (log k) could not fit into either Amis or Kirkwood plots [log k’ vs. (1/D) or [(D – 1)/(2D + 1)], but the trends were better explained by the basic form of multivariate linear solvent energy relationships (MLSER) suggested by the Koppel and Palm approach on the one hand and the Kamlet and Taft approach on the other hand. These observations probably substantiate that cumulative contributions of basic solvent parameters (equilibrium as well as frictional solvent effects) and solvent–solute interactions for solvation of transition state during nitration of phenols. Reaction rates accelerated with the introduction of electron‐donating groups and retarded with electron‐withdrawing groups. Accordingly, the reactivity of structurally different phenols was found to follow the following sequence: p‐OH > p‐MeO > p‐Me > H > m‐Me > p‐Cl > p‐Br > m‐Cl > p‐NO2 > m‐OH. The results are interpreted by Hammett's theory of linear free energy relationship. The reaction constant (Hammett's ρ) is a measure of the sensitivity of the reaction toward the electronic effects of the substituent. The rho (ρ) values obtained from the present experiments are fairly large negative values (ρ < 0), indicating attack of an electrophile on the aromatic ring. An increase in temperature decreases the reaction constant (ρ) values. According to Exner, ρ values for a given reaction are influenced by the temperature according to the following relation: ρ = A [1 – β/T]. Obtained “isokinetic temperature (β)” values are in the range of 225–290. These values are far below the experimental temperature range (303–323 K), indicating that the entropy factors are probably more important in controlling the reaction. This point can be seen from the negative entropy values and linearity of multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Furthermore, in the present study, rate constants for TBN nitration of ortho‐substituted phenols could not fit into Taft's plots of log(k/kCH3) versus σ* or, Es or combined Taft's relationship. However, Charton's MLRA of the log k with polar, resonance, steric, hydrophobicity, and molar refractivity showing a very good linear relationship was obtained. It is of interest to note that when log kexp values are correlated with log kcal a perfect linearity is obtained with a correlation coefficient of unity, indicating the consonance between experimental and calculated rate constants in the present work.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of anthraquinones from Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae) using ethanol–water mixtures

In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was evaluated as an easier and more efficient alternative method for the isolation of anthraquinones (AQs) from Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae), compared with conventional extraction techniques. The extraction was performed using an ethanol–water solution as solvent. The influence of different operating conditions, as temperature, time, solvent composition, and solvent/sample ratio and its relationship with ultrasonic techniques was analyzed. For this purpose and to achieve global optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of H. pustulata, Taguchi experimental design with a L9 orthogonal array was applied.The results showed that the yield obtained with the ultrasound assisted extraction is approximately twice higher than the traditional Soxhlet technique, and Taguchi analysis demonstrated that the most influential factor is solvent concentration, followed by time, temperature, and solvent/sample ratio. The solvent composition effect is directly related to cavitation process, and the effect of solvent physical properties on it. The optimal combination of these factors on the ultrasound assisted extraction is a solvent composition 60% v/v of ethanol, a solvent/sample ratio equal to 20:1, a temperature of 55°C, and an extraction time of 30min.

Ionic Liquid-Based Solvents for Natural Fiber Welding: Impact of Solvent System Composition

Certain ionic liquids (ILs) are known to be efficient solvents for biopolymers, in particular for cellulosic and silk based materials1. The ionic liquid solvent efficiency is strongly impacted by the presence of both impurities (e.g., water, residual reagents) and intentional additives (e.g., co-solvents or diluents)3,4. Natural fiber welding (NFW), the process of controlled partial dissolution and regeneration of biopolymers,5-7 is also affected by the presence of impurities and additives8. In this work we investigate the impact of impurities and additives on NFW. The extent of NFW was characterized by x-ray diffraction, ATR-IR, SEM, and mechanical property testing. These data are correlated with solvent physical properties, such as viscosity, density, and surface tension, as well as with solvent properties as indicated by their Kamlet-Taft parameters. For some of the systems investigated, there is a maximum solvent composition where polar aprotic solvents in conjunction with IL are more efficient at NFW than the IL alone. Surprisingly, this composition occurs when the mole ratio of IL to solvent is less than one to one. Understanding the factors that influence welding in these systems allows for greater control over the NFW process and facilitates the formation of functional biopolymer composite materials. References Swatloski, R. P.; Spear, S. K.; Holbrey, J. D.; Rogers, R. D. J. Am Chem Soc, 2002, 124, 4974.Phillips, D. M.; Drummy, L. F.; Conrady, D. G.; Fox, D. M.; Naik, R. R.; Stone, M. O.; Trulove, P. C.; De Long, H. C.; Mantz, R. A. J Am Chem Soc., 2004, 126, 14350.Rinaldi, R. Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 511.Mazza, M.; Catana, D. A.; Vaca-Garcia, C.; Cecutti, C. Cellulose, 2009, 16, 207.Haverhals, L. M.; Reichert, W. M.; De Long, H. C.; Trulove, P. C. Cellulose, 2010, 2985, 425.Haverhals, L. M.; Sulpizio, H. M.; Fayos, Z. A.; Trulove, M. A.; Reichert, W. M.; Foley, M. P.; De Long, H. C.; Trulove, P. C.Cellulose, 2012, 19, 13.Haverhals, L. M.; Nevin, L. M.; Foley, M. P.; Brown, E. K.; De Long, H. C.; Trulove, P. C. Chem.Commun., 2012, 48, 6417.Haverhals, L. M.; Brown, E. K.; Foley, M. P.; De Long, H.; Trulove P. ECS Trans, 2012, 50, 6