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In continuation of previously reported results, the ionic liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene-1-ium acetate was also found to be a powerful non-derivatizing solvent for cellulosic waste such as paper and cardboard. The ionic liquid could dissolve all the present bio-polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) in high concentrations, resulting in solutions with visco-elastic properties that were suitable for dry-jet wet fiber spinning. The cellulosic raw materials were refined gradually to identify the influence of residual components on the spinnability of the respective solution. Polymer degradation and losses in the spinning process could be avoided nearly entirely. With the exception of virtually unrefined cardboard, all the samples showed excellent spinnability, resulting in fibers with high tensile strength. Prototype textiles were produced to validate the quality of the fibers and demonstrate the possibility of using residual lignin in cardboard as a natural dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flexible graphene sensor array has been fabricated by in situ reduction of a graphene oxide (GO) array patterned on a paper chip. To achieve cross-reactive sensing and gas discrimination ability, the surface of each reduced GO (rGO) spot was modified with different types of ionic liquids (ILs), which could significantly alter the semiconductor properties and consequently the gas sensing behaviour of the paper-supported rGO sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a contents list for the New Journal of Chemistry, a publication by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It includes articles covering various topics in chemistry, such as surface modulation of MXenes, synthesis of compounds, and studies on materials and their properties. The journal aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences. The listed papers in this document discuss the electrical and dielectric properties of Na2/3Mn2/3Fe1/3O2 as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries, a fluorescent probe for monitoring lipid droplets, the effect of cis/trans isomerization on photochromic properties, and the bioactivity of benzophenazine enaminone derivatives as inhibitors of ERK2. [Extracted from the article]

Exploitation of hydrogen as an energy carrier requires the development of systems for its storage and delivery. Formic acid has been proposed as valuable hydrogen carrier compound, due to its relatively high hydrogen content (53 g L−1), the latter being easily and cleanly released in catalytic reactions under mild conditions (HCOOH → H2+ CO2). Ionic liquids are interesting solvents for homogeneous catalyzed formic acid decomposition systems as their extremely low volatility avoids solvent contamination of the produced hydrogen stream. In this paper an outstandingly simple, robust and active catalyst system is presented, namely RuCl3dissolved in 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate (RuCl3/[EMMIM][OAc]). This system proved to be fully recyclable over 10 times. Turnover frequencies (TOF) of 150 h−1and 850 h−1were obtained at 80 °C and 120 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach to improve the cellulase stability against 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]), based on coating of immobilized enzyme particles with hydrophobic ILs, is proposed. The stability of commercial cellulase (Celluclast®), immobilized onto a polymeric support (Amberlite XAD4), was first studied in ten different ionic liquids (ILs) at 50 and 80 °C. Hydrophobic ILs clearly enhanced the enzyme thermal stability. Butyltrimethyl-ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N1114][NTf2]) enhances half-life time of the immobilized enzyme at 50 °C up to 4 times, while [Bmim][Cl] behaved as a powerful enzyme deactivating agent. Thus, the stability of cellulase in hydrophobic IL/[Bmim][Cl] mixtures was greatly improved with respect to [Bmim][Cl] alone. A stabilized cellulase derivative obtained by coating immobilized enzyme particles with [N1114][NTf2], has been then successfully used for the saccharification of dissolved cellulose in [Bmim][Cl] (i.e. up to 50% hydrolysis in 24 h) at 50 °C and 1.5 w/v water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous-flow rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of long chain alkenes has been achieved with selectivities to the desired linear aldehyde of 92% and minimum rhodium loss, using a xantphos-derived ligand attached to an imidazolium salt in a supercritical fluid–ionic liquid system. The effect of oxygen in the system can be ameliorated to some extent by adding a simple sulfonated triphenylphosphine to the catalytic solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of hydrophilic N,N-dimethylpyrrolidinium- and N,N-dimethylpiperidinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) have been prepared and applied as reaction media in the Wacker oxidation of styrene by hydrogen peroxide using PdCl2as the catalyst. The efficiency of these ILs was compared with hydrophilic and hydrophobic imidazolium systems (including those with nitrile functionalities). The nature of the ionic liquid strongly influences the product distribution. In particular, in hydrophobic ILs, relevant amounts of 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene arising from styrene dimerization were detected, in addition to the expected phenylmethylketone. The formation of 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene may be attributed to the formation of Pd(0) species from “ClPdOH” (probably formed during the Wacker process) in a side-reaction. Consequently, the ability of the IL to favor or disfavor the reoxidation of “ClPdOH” to “ClPdOOH” by hydrogen peroxide, giving an homogeneous phase or a biphasic system, appears to be the main factor affecting selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an ionic liquid (IL) strategy for the reactive dissolution of star anise seeds using different Brønsted-acidic ionic liquids as the solvent and reaction media towards the isolation of important pharmaceutical intermediates; this procedure provides a single-step, higher yielding and environmentally benign strategy towards the synthesis of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu™. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely discussed as alternative green solvents not only because of their unique chemical properties, but also because of their extremely low vapour pressure and – at least in some cases – relatively high thermal stability. Two complementary methods are analyzed and compared to determine both the rate constant of decomposition and the vapour pressure of four ILs: (1) thermogravimetrical analysis at ambient pressure (TGap) with an overflow of inert gases, and (2) high vacuum (HV) experiments with a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). At ambient pressure, [EMIM][MeSO3] and [EMIM][CF3SO3] decompose without a significant contribution of evaporation, which leads to the rate constant of thermal degradation. For both ILs, the vapour pressure can only be determined at HV by the MSB, because the evaporation rate is then higher than the decomposition rate. For the relatively volatile ILs [EMIM][NTf2] and [BMIM][NTf2] the vapour pressure can be derived both by the MSB at HV as well as by TGap. General strategies to determine the volatility and stability of ILs and criteria for the maximum operation temperature with regard to decomposition and evaporation are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous biocatalytic synthesis of (R)-2-octanol carried out in an enzyme membrane reactor showed an excellent process stability of the biocatalysts, resulting in a turnover number of 15 million for the applied alcohol dehydrogenase. Utilisation of the ionic liquid AMMOENG™ 101 as a feasible cosolvent increased substrate concentration, and improved space time yields and turnover numbers of the cofactor by factors of 3 and 6, respectively. Moreover, 80% less waste was generated, while producing the same amount of product. Integrated product separation was realized viasolid phase extraction. Extraction of the applied solid phase with supercritical carbon dioxide allowed more than 30 reuses of the solid phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the first-time usage of an isolated thermostable Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (phenylacetone monooxygenase, PAMO) in the presence of ionic liquids. The stability, activity and selectivity of PAMO as an oxidative enzyme in the presence of different ionic liquids were studied. This revealed that the addition of some specific ionic liquids, such Ammoeng™ 102 and [bmim]MeSO4, can significantly enhance the E-value in the oxidation of racemic benzylketones. Moreover, the use of ionic liquids increases the optimal substrate concentration for performing Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, thereby extending the biocatalytic repertoire of PAMO for synthetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both softwood (southern yellow pine) and hardwood (red oak) can be completely dissolved in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim]OAc) after mild grinding. Complete dissolution was achieved by heating the sample in an oil bath, although wood dissolution can be accelerated by microwave pulses or ultrasound irradiation. It has been shown that [C2mim]OAc is a better solvent for wood than 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) and that variables such as type of wood, initial wood load, particle size, etc.affect dissolution and dissolution rates; for example, red oak dissolves better and faster than southern yellow pine. Carbohydrate-free lignin and cellulose-rich materials can be obtained by using the proper reconstitution solvents (e.g., acetone/water 1 : 1 v/v) and approximately 26.1% and 34.9% reductions of lignin content in the reconstituted cellulose-rich materials (from pine and oak, respectively) have been achieved in one dissolution/reconstitution cycle. The regenerated cellulose-rich materials and lignin fractions were characterized and compared with the original wood samples and biopolymer standards. For pine, 59% of the holocellulose (i.e., the sum of cellulose and hemicellulose) in the original wood can be recovered in the cellulose-rich reconstituted material; whereas 31% and 38% of the original lignin is recovered, respectively, as carbohydrate-free lignin and as carbohydrate-bonded lignin in the cellulose-rich material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica supported platinum catalysts coated with a thin film of 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium trifluoromethane sulfonate (BDiMIm) were investigated with respect to the interaction of the ionic liquid with the oxide support and the metal clusters. IR, inelastic neutron scattering and NMR spectroscopy indicate that the vibrations of the imidazolium ring of ionic liquid are less restricted when supported on SiO2, while the viscosity of the supported ionic liquid increased. The presence of Pt particles enhances the electron density of the ionic liquid at the nitrogen atom inducing higher basicity. The coverage of the catalyst surface and the metal particles by the ionic liquid protects the metal against oxidation. The catalysts are active and stable for hydrogenation of ethene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) based on glycerylimidazolium cations have been prepared by reaction of 1-chloropropanediol, a compound obtainable from glycerol (a widely available and in-expensive waste product), with the appropriate base (1-H-imidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole and 1-methyl-1-H-imidazole). The reaction of 3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propane-1,2-diol with chloroalkanes, bromoalkanes and alkyl mesylates gave the corresponding salts which were characterized. The possibility to use these ILs in palladium catalyzed reactions was evaluated, evidencing good catalyst stability and a high recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the unusual aggregation behavior of an important cyanine dye 1,1′-diethyl-4,4′-carbocynine iodide (DECI), also known as kryptocyanine, which interestingly depends on the type of the ionic liquid (IL) present in the aqueous solutions of the dye. Notably, the presence of a small amount of ILs containing [BF4]−, [PF6]− and [OTf]− anions induced the process of J-aggregation instantly, and the added ILs acted as promoters for J-aggregation, followed by time-dependent precipitation. In contrast to the above-mentioned ILs, the presence of a small amount of ILs containing Tf2N− anions induced the process of J- and H-aggregation simultaneously, followed by time-dependent conversion of H-aggregates to J-aggregates. Furthermore, the aggregation behavior of the dye was also found to be dependent on the concentration of the dye, temperature conditions, and nature of solubilizing media (polarity of the solvent and pH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave heating was found to have a beneficial effect on the enzymatic esterification of lactic acid (LA) with ethanol in Cyphos 202 ionic liquid (IL) medium. Microwave irradiation caused hydrolysis of lactoyllactic acid (the linear dimer of LA) during the reaction, thus, as a result, more lactic acid was available as substrate and a higher ester yield was achieved in the esterification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy alloys show broad application prospects in electrocatalysis due to their high catalytic activity, conductivity and structural stability. However, achieving their mild and scalable synthesis still remains a great challenge. This paper reports a strategy for the synthesis of CrFeCoNiRu0.5 high entropy nano-alloy/carbon (termed as CrFeCoNiRu0.5-HENA/C) using a chelate-based ionic liquid. Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Ru(III) were coordinated with salicylic acid ionic liquid to form a viscous metal complex solution, followed by low temperature carbonization and subsequent high temperature annealing. The resulting CrFeCoNiRu0.5- HENA/C consists of a three-dimensional carbon framework and CrFeCoNiRu0.5-HENA nanocrystal. The carbon framework offers high ion/electron conductivity and good affinity with NO3- and CO2 due to the presence of hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups and highly electronegative nitrogen atoms. The CrFeCo-NiRu0.5-HENA nanocrystal has a small size of 52.5 x 1.2 nm, good element homogeneity and high crystallinity. Such a unique structure improves the adsorption capacity towards NO3 - and CO2 and the electrocatalytic activity towards the C-N coupling reaction. The CrFeCoNiRu0.5-HENA/C electrocatalyst exhibits a high urea yield of 35.57 x 0.81 mmol gcatalyst -1 h-1 with a high faradaic efficiency of 21.02-0.77%, which is much better than that of multi-component nano-alloys from Cr, Fe, Co, Ni and Ru. This study also provides an approach for the construction of high-entropy nano-alloys in catalysis, sensing and energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low coulombic efficiency and mild conductivity have impeded the commercialization of sulfur-based batteries despite pairing with high energy density and low-cost aluminum anodes. In this study, we investigated cost-effective electrolyte confinement of the sulfur cathode to an Al/S@Gf battery, which employed a sulfur-graphite (S@Gf) cathode, an aluminum metal anode, and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride (EMImCl):AlCl3 as an electrolyte. The Al/EMImCl:AlCl3/S@Gf battery exhibited remarkable performance in terms of rate capability and cycle life, delivering a high capacity of 1281 mA h g−1 at a current density of 300 mA g−1 with 90% coulombic efficiency (CE); additionally, it was stable at 800 mA g−1 withdrawing current. By employing an embedding technique to incorporate sulfur particles onto the graphite, we emulated previously observed glitches, such as capacity degradation and poor conductivity resulting in the accumulation of insoluble discharge products hindering ion diffusion. We demonstrated the potential of graphite to enhance the capability of holding sulfur for creating cells with repeatable, stable, and long-lasting charge storage features. This paper elucidates the interactions between carbon, sulfur, and aluminum electrolytes, and sheds light on their respective roles in the fundamental charge-storage process of aluminum–sulfur batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as pivotal energy storage solutions has surged dramatically. However, this widespread adoption has come with a significant downside: the accumulation of substantial quantities of discarded LIBs. From the perspective of green production and industrial development, the problem of recycling spent LIBs urgently needs to be addressed. Based on the physicochemical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as well as their potential in LIB recycling, this paper proposes the concept of the Ionic Liquid System, including ILs and DESs. The aim is to systematically outline the application of the Ionic Liquid System in the LIB recycling industry. Ionic Liquid System reagents are considered environmentally friendly green solvents due to their biodegradability. Here, we discuss laboratory research on the recovery of spent LIBs using similar system solvents based on studies reported over the past decade and categorize recent laboratory work, while evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of the application of the Ionic Liquid System. This article explicitly provides an effective reference for recycling spent LIBs through the Ionic Liquid System and prospects for future work on recycling spent lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid 'in-field' detection of environmentally hazardous organophosphorus and nitro-containing pesticides is highly essential due to the lethal effects caused by the inhibition of the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In our present study, we demonstrate a novel sensing approach for the simultaneous analysis of five widely used pesticides (methyl parathion, pendimethalin, dicloran, trifluralin, and PCNB) based on the Meisenheimer complex formation between polynitro aromatic compounds (pesticides) and a nucleophile. This colorimetric determination of pesticides involves the use of an ionic liquid, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH), as the nucleophile, which is titrated against different concentrations of pesticides. The addition of TBAOH to the solutions of pesticides results in the formation of intensely colored complexes, which are visualized using UV-vis and NMR spectroscopies allowing the identification of new bands and peaks corresponding to the formation of Meisenheimer complexes. The limit of detection (LOD) for targeted pesticides was found to be in the range of 0.67–10 μM. Furthermore, the practical application of this method is demonstrated by developing different paper-based sensors. Therefore, the strategy proposed here not only serves as a valuable tool that allows unskilled people to detect hazardous pesticides in agricultural products 'on-site' but also offers a fast and convenient protocol for the identification of dangerous nitro-containing polyaromatic groups like nitro explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing methods for obtaining titanium are harmful as toxic organic solvents must be used. In this paper, three magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) and five hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) were designed and combined for safer extraction of titanium from an HCl leachate of ilmenite (HLI). First, the physicochemical properties including density, viscosity, water content, total organic carbon, and appearance and extraction performance including efficiency, selectivity and reusability of the designed solvents were thoroughly analyzed and compared. Second, the most suitable cation to form MILs for the removal of iron and the best HDES for the extraction of titanium were defined based on sustainable chemistry metrics. The purity of the obtained titanium solution could reach 99.87% after the combined use of the selected MIL and HDES. Finally, toxicity studies on the reagents applied were performed and compared with existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) have emerged as a family of polymeric materials which are being increasingly investigated for interdisciplinary applications. Their high electrical conductivity, excellent thermal/mechanical stability, low vapor pressure, and easy processibility render PILs exceptionally attractive as versatile platforms for green chemistry. Recent decades have witnessed fruitful efforts devoted to the development of PIL-based green chemistry platforms, achieving significant discoveries that will unfold their uniqueness in catalysis, separation, sensors, electrolyte, and functional materials. However, few review papers offer comprehensive discussion on PILs' application in the green chemistry field. In this review, we initially introduce the structure and types of PILs, which is followed by a systematical summary of the synthesis of PILs in terms of direct polymerization of monomer, polymerization after monomer modification, and modification of polymers. Furthermore, several aspects of the application of PILs related to green chemistry are highlighted, such as sensors, separation, catalysis, electrolytes for energy storage devices, and as versatile precursors yielding functional materials. Current challenges and corresponding research directions in PILs for green chemistry are clarified, to make PILs truly green platforms for existing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as a new class of materials, displaying a unique capability to self-assemble into micelles, liposomes, liquid crystals, and microemulsions. Despite evident interest, advancements in the controlled formation of amphiphilic ILs remain in the early stages. Taking inspiration from nature, we introduced the concept of lipid-like (or lipid-inspired) ILs more than a decade ago, aiming to create very low-melting, highly lipophilic ILs that are potentially bio-innocuous – a combination of attributes that is frequently antithetical but highly desirable from several application-specific standpoints. Lipid-like ILs are a subclass of functional organic liquid salts that include a range of lipidic side chains such as saturated, unsaturated, linear, branched, and thioether while retaining melting points below room temperature. It was observed in several homologous series of [Cnmim] ILs that elongation of N-appended alkyl chains to greater than seven carbons leads to a substantial increase in melting point (Tm) – which is the most characteristic feature of ILs. Accordingly, it is challenging to develop ILs with low Tm values while preserving their hydrophobicity and self-organizing properties. We found that two alternative Tm depressive approaches are useful. One of these is the replacement of the double bonds with thioether moieties in the alkyl chains, as detailed in several published papers detailing the chemistry of these ILs. Employing thiol–ene and thiol–yne click reactions is a facile, robust, and orthogonal method to overcome the challenges associated with the synthesis of alkyl thioether-functionalized ILs. The second approach involves replacing the double bonds with the cisoid cyclopropyl motif, mimicking the strategy used by certain organisms to modulate cell membrane fluidity. This discovery has the potential to greatly impact the utilization of lipid-like ILs in various applications, including gene delivery, lubricants, heat transfer fluids, and haloalkane separations, among others. This feature article presents a concise, historical overview, highlighting key findings from our work while offering speculation about the future trajectory of this de novo class of soft organic-ion materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a 3D porous polycalix functionalized with a dual Brønsted–Lewis acidic double-charged DABCO-based ionic liquid group (PC4RA@[SiPrDABCO@BuSO3H](FeCl4)) was synthesized using multiple steps, characterized, and then evaluated by spiro formation for catalytic activity. Initially, the polymeric support was modified using the silylation of its hydroxy groups with (3-chloropropyl)-trimethoxysilane as an organo-silane linker to develop PC4RA-SiPrCl. Then, it was post-functionalized using bi-functional acidic IL groups bearing double-charged diazoniabi-cyclo[2.2.2]octane tetrachloro-ferrate(III) with moving active sites of SO3H groups to deliver PC4RA@[SiPrDABCO@BuSO3H](FeCl4). In the next step, the characterization of the designed catalyst was directed by applying FT-IR, EDX, elemental mapping, WPXRD, LPXRD, FE-SEM, STA, and TEM techniques. The catalytic performance of the porous polymeric system was confirmed using the formation of spiro-fused[4H-pyran] as a highly recyclable and stable di-cationic polymer-supported acidic IL under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive fabrication with the scalable design of environmentally friendly supercapacitors is highly desirable for portable and wearable electronics. In this context, the role of an electrolyte on two-dimensional (2D) materials such as WS2 nanosheet-based electrodes is important for the rational design of an efficient, stable, and environmentally friendly supercapacitor. In this paper, high-quality and ultrathin 2D WS2 nanosheets are synthesized by an easy, fast, and scalable LiI-assisted liquid phase exfoliation method. The synthesized WS2 nanosheets are then employed as an electrode material in combination with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel electrolyte to fabricate a solid-state supercapacitor. The effect of different concentrations of BMIC on the 2D WS2 nanosheet-based electrodes is investigated in a symmetric supercapacitor. An optimum concentration of BMIC in PVA gel provides the best performance due to the low viscosity and high conductivity of the gel electrolyte, resulting from the H bonding alteration inside the PVA matrix. High voltage supercapacitors with a large electrochemically stable window (up to ±4 V), and higher capacitance (5 F g−1) and specific energy density are fabricated using 0.5 M BMIC in the PVA gel electrolyte. The fabricated solid-state devices show 100% specific capacitance retention up to 8000 cyclic charge–discharge cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy are employed to investigate the enhanced performance and stability of 0.5 M BMIC in PVA gel electrolyte in combination with a WS2-based electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization and transformation of CO2 under mild conditions, particularly at ambient pressure and moderate temperature, remain challenging and attract widespread attention. Ionic liquids are considered to be green and designable solvents, and have high efficiency for CO2 conversion. Here, a novel aprotic ionic liquid, [Ch][Triz], was discovered as a dual-functional catalyst capable of simultaneously activating CO2 and the substrates, and exhibited outstanding performance in catalyzing the cyclization of CO2 and 2-aminobenzonitriles under solvent-free and mild conditions (such as 0.1 MPa, 30–50 °C), affording a range of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones in high yields. Furthermore, [Ch][Triz] IL could be easily recovered and reused up to five recycle runs without obvious activity loss. This work proposes a sustainable approach to CO2 conversion, and holds great potential for quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione preparation under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A characteristic feature of cellulose is crystal polymorphism. Among the cellulose allomorphs, cellulose IVII has been the most time-consuming and energy-intensive one to prepare from native cellulose with a cellulose I structure. In this work, we report a facile preparation method of cellulose IVII by regeneration from an ionic liquid (IL) solution. Although regeneration from arbitrary IL solutions is known to produce only cellulose II and amorphous cellulose, we found that appropriate selections of regeneration temperature (373 K), IL structure (dimethylphosphate anion paired with imidazolium cation), and cellulose concentration (5 mol%) induced the formation of cellulose IVII. With the optimal conditions, cellulose IV with crystallinity of 31% was obtained without contamination of other cellulose allomorphs. Wide angle X-ray scattering and 13C solid-state NMR measurements on cellulose/IL mixtures demonstrated that the cations and anions were rather ordered and the gt conformer of cellulose was preferred at a high temperature, which would be relevant for the formation of cellulose IVII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-pot ethanol production, which involves successive biomass pretreatments, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation in a single vessel, is essential for practical bioethanol production. To achieve this, low-toxicity pretreatment solvents such as a zwitterionic liquid, OE2imC3C, are necessary. Although the cellulose-dissolving ability of OE2imC3C has been studied, its biomass pretreatment ability has not been thoroughly investigated. Herein, we investigated the biomass pretreatment ability of OE2imC3C at various temperatures and concentrations. The mildest conditions for successful pretreatment were 75 wt% OE2imC3C at 90 °C. On the other hand, OE2imC3C exhibited a lower pretreatment ability than [C2mim]OAc, which is the best-known cellulose-dissolving ionic liquid. The main reason for the low pretreatment ability of OE2imC3C was its high viscosity. Reducing their viscosity is a key factor for designing zwitterionic liquids with high pretreatment ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable interest in designing multi-responsive soft materials for diverse applications is leading to the development of systems that are embedded with functional groups with stimuli-responsive characters. Surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) with an ability to form various structural aggregates represent an interesting candidate for designing soft materials with stimuli-responsive characters. Embedding photo-responsive moieties into SAILs with existing pH-responsive properties can unlock a broader range of potential uses. Herein, we prepared photo- and pH-responsive catanionic giant vesicles (GVs) through a synergetic interaction between the pH-responsive choline oleate ([Ch][Ol]) and photo-responsive (4-methyl-4-(2-(octyloxy)-2-oxoethyl)) morpholin-4-ium(E)-4-((4-(dimethylamino) phenyl) diazinyl) benzenesulfonate ([C8EMorph][MO]). The photo-responsiveness in the GVs was introduced through [C8EMorph][MO], which shows E–Z isomerisation under 460 nm light irradiation, whereas the pH-responsive character was obtained through [Ch][Ol]. We used absorbance measurements complimented with a computational study to characterize the photo-responsive behaviour. Irradiating the GVs with light of suitable wavelength and changing the pH of the system altered the behaviour of the aggregates. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) analysis showed that, before irradiation, the size of the bilayer thickness of the GVs was 28 Å and after irradiation it was increased to 31 Å, leading to an increment in the overall size of the GVs. This was due to the formation of Z-[C8EMorph][MO] after irradiation, which leads to a slight alteration in the interactions between both SAILs. Moreover, the change in pH of the vesicles caused alterations in the size and shape of the vesicles, as confirmed through the SANS analysis. The stability of the GVs in terms of temperature, dilution, and time was analysed to characterise the GVs for practical applications. The insights gained from this study could be valuable for developing materials for these applications such as probes, cargo carriers, and microreactors in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient and sustainable approach was developed for the construction of Si–O/Si–Si bonds, through the electrochemical oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrosilanes with O-nucleophiles (e.g. phenols, naphthols, alcohols, and H2O) or hydrosilane self-condensation. The protocol employs a highly electrically conductive and recyclable ionic liquid as a catalyst, thus eliminating the need for external electrolytes and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agents. The ionic liquid could be easily recovered and reused for at least eight cycles with consistent performance. Notably, this electrochemical method exhibits a broad substrate scope and high functional-group compatibility (66 examples, up to 96% yield). Initial mechanistic studies show that silicon radicals are generated via the process of hydrogen atom transfer between bromine radicals and silanes, and KIE experiments demonstrate that Si–H bond cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work involves an improved, pseudo-three-component synthetic approach for the synthesis of dimeric indoles using 4 mol% [BCMIM][Cl] ionic liquid via metal-free synthesis in aqueous ethanol under reflux conditions. A series of 35 derivatives were furnished in up to 95% yields in 0.5 h to 1.5 h. These derivatives were then analyzed using various spectroscopic techniques. The salient features of this methodology are mild reaction conditions, metal-free synthesis, simple work-up procedure, short reaction time, reusability for up to 4 cycles, good to excellent yields and low catalyst loading. The UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques were used to investigate the photophysical characteristics of selected derivatives. The absorption and emission spectra reveal a peak wavelength (λmax) in the ranges of 216–228 nm (π–π*), 262–294 nm (n–π*), and 389–407 nm, respectively. A similar trend to the experimental data can be observed in density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The binding affinities of the synthesised derivatives with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were computed using AutoDock Vina. Furthermore, 7af, 7ai, 7aj and 7gk were investigated for BSA and DNA binding studies. The ligands exhibited a binding strength of 105 and 103 M−1 with BSA and DNA, respectively. The ethidium bromide (EtBr) displacement assay discloses intercalation as the mode of binding with Ksv values in the order of 102–103 M−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the preparation of large-area perovskite films using blade-coating technology has made rapid progress in recent years, the instability of precursor solutions and the harmful and toxic solvents limit the preparation of bladed perovskite films in ambient air. In addition, additives are usually indispensable for the preparation of high-quality bladed perovskite films. Here, we introduce the ionic liquid methylammonium acetate (MAAc) instead of N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent to fabricate perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using the blade-coating method. Using MAAc as a solvent solves the toxic and harmful problems of traditional solvents and realizes the preparation process of bladed perovskite films in ambient air. Surprisingly, the power conversion efficiency of the bladed PSCs prepared under ambient conditions exceeds 14% without additives. Moreover, the unencapsulated device exhibits excellent storage stability in ambient air. This work provides a method for preparing highly efficient and stable perovskite optoelectronic devices using a blade-coating method in ambient air without additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the development of aluminum-ion batteries is still in its infancy, researchers are still dedicated to exploring suitable host materials and investigating their aluminum intercalation behaviours. Here, a series of cyanido-bridged chain compounds with the formula {[FeIII(Tp)(CN)3]2[MII(H2O)2]}n (M = Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, Cu) are studied as cathode electrodes for aluminum-ion batteries with [EMIm]Cl–AlCl3 (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride–AlCl3) ionic liquid as the electrolyte. The electrochemical properties suggested Fe3+/Fe2+ to be the redox-active couple during the aluminum intercalation and deintercalation processes of these compounds, and the observed maximum specific capacity obtained by the Fe–Co compound is 200 mA h g−1 despite the rapid specific capacity fading. To gain a deeper understanding of the capacity decay suffered by these compounds, further investigation was conducted to explore the evolution of compounds during the electrochemical measurements. It has been attributed to the following reasons: 1. thermodynamic instability results in the transformation/damage of two of the chain structures (for the Fe–Ni and Fe–Co compounds) during heat treatment on electrodes, a crucial step in electrode preparation; 2. the acidic nature of the electrolyte triggers the destruction of the chain structure, with the appearance of partial reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+, and a new interaction of the cyano group with aluminum; 3. the high charge density of inserted Al ions makes the chain structure suffer from structural damage during both the charging and discharging processes. The progressive accumulation of trapped intercalated ions hampers their involvement in the reaction, consequently decreasing electrochemical reversibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A homologous series of 1,2-dimethylimidazolium-based ionic liquids with halide anions are examined by Hirshfeld surface analysis to draw out key structural details of the cation, allowing for a deep understanding of the structure and interactions present within this class of ionic liquids. With respect to cation structures, three distinct alkyl torsion angles are noted when examining the compounds currently reported within the structural database. These alkyl chains account for the largest percentage of cation⋯cation close contacts through a combination of H⋯H and H⋯π interactions. Further, the halide-containing crystals are contrasted with a hydrated form of the compounds, allowing for detailed examination of the changes in non-covalent interactions within the asymmetric unit. It is noted that for the hydrated compound, hydrogen bonding interactions between the water molecule and cation replace the anion⋯cation interactions, accounting, in part, for the lower melting points of these hydrated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pyrazole-based catalyst system featuring –CH as a hydrogen bonding donor was developed and utilized for the conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates without the use of metals or co-catalysts. It is intriguing that the synthesized pyrazolium ionic liquid ([Bn2DMPz]Br) could efficiently catalyze the coupling reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and epoxides at 90 °C, under a pressure of 0.1 MPa CO2, achieving a product yield of up to 99% within just 5 hours. The catalyst can be recycled and reused multiple times without any decrease in its catalytic efficiency. In addition, the pyrazolium ionic liquid was polymerized to get the first pyrazole-based poly(ionic liquid) (PIL). The polymer also exhibits high catalytic activity, excellent stability and easy recyclability. In comparison to other catalysts based on ionic liquids, our catalyst system demonstrates outstanding performance and recyclability at the same time. DFT calculations show that "double-IL" model may easily make the bromide anion serve as a nucleophile and cation [Bn2DMPz]+ serves as a H-donor to stabilize the O− of the epoxide and the carbonate anion with weak interaction. The design strategy based on pyrazole ionic liquid will inspire researchers to develop more catalysts used for CO2 cycloaddition in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new bioamphiphile sodium-2-decanamyde-2-methyl propanoate (SDMP) was synthesized to study the photophysical properties of bromelain (BM) in its micellar medium, and the experiment was further extended with the addition of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and a commonly used anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), salt sodium chloride (NaCl) and a cationic drug nortriptyline (NOT) using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy, along with other techniques. For the modulation of the photophysical properties of BM, the interaction of BM was first studied with an SDMP micelle and then with two ILs of different chain lengths, SDS and NOT. This study reveals that micellar assemblies significantly reduce the degradation rate of bromelain owing to partitioning in the palisade layer of micelles from bulk water. The increase in average lifetime with the addition of SDMP after the micellar zone may be the result of hindrance of the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Furthermore, the stability and activity were compared with those of conventional imidazolium-based ionic liquids, i.e., 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C16MeImCl) and 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C10MeImCl), using spectroscopic techniques. The present study shows that both the studied ILs interact with the functional groups of BM. Therefore, it appears that the SDMP micellar medium stabilizes BM more than an aqueous medium. The interaction between BM and amino acid surfactant (AAS) may provide new insights in the field of green technology using renewable natural resources to create eco-friendly and bio-degradable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formylation of N-methylaniline (1a) with CO2 and ammonia borane, NH3·BH3 (AB) produced selectively N-methyl-N-phenylformamide (3a) in the presence of the halide imidazolium salts ([IL]X). In contrast, a mixture of two products, formylated 3a and methylated 2a (N,N-dimethylaniline), was obtained in the presence of non-halide imidazolium salts, containing BF4−, PF6− or OS (octyl sulfate) anions. Reactions of other primary and secondary amines with AB and CO2 carried out in the presence of halide salt, [dbim]Cl (dbim = 1,3-dibutyl imidazolium cation) selectively lead to the formation of formamides as the only products. The effect of ionic liquids on the selectivity of amine formylation was explained by their ability to stabilize different forms of boron formates. In the presence of halide salts, the reaction of AB with CO2 results in the formation of BH(OCHO)2 which is responsible for the formylation of amines to formamides. In contrast, the formation of a mixture of boron formates, BHn(OCHO)3−n (n = 1, 2), in the presence of non-halogenated imidazolium salts results in the production of a mixture of formylated and methylated amine derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper, iron–chloride ionic liquids (ILs) were immobilized on SBA-15 via N-methylimidazole grafting with C–Cl in chloropropylsilane pre-anchored on SBA-15, followed by FeCl3 and CuCl2 coordination to imidazolium chloride to generate a double metal IL-supported mesoporous composite (SIL-CuFe). The prepared composite exhibited an effective catalytic performance for the solvent-free oxidation of styrene to benzaldehdye (BzH) with H2O2 oxidant, offering 51% conversion, a turnover number (TON) of 330.5 mol molFe+Cu−1, and a selectivity of 71% at a reaction temperature of 70 °C. The composite catalyst can be easily recovered and effectively reused without a significant loss in activity and selectivity. The quenching experiments by adding tert-butanol (TBA), 1,4-benzoquinone (p-BQ) and L -histidine (L -HIS) in the reaction system were conducted to identify the type of reactive O species, specifically ˙OH, ˙O2−, and 1O2, produced by catalyst activation with H2O2 and played a main role in the oxidation. The reaction mechanism of the oxidation process is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are increasingly used, e.g. as solvents, electrolytes, active pharmaceutical ingredients and herbicides. If ILs enter the environment due to their use or accidental spills at industry sites, they can pollute the environment. To avoid adverse side effects of persistent ILs in the environment, they should be designed to fully mineralise in the environment after they fulfilled their function during application. (Quantitative) structure–biodegradability relationship models ((Q)SBRs) have been successfully applied in the design of benign chemicals. However, (Q)SBR models have not been widely applied to design mineralising ILs. Therefore, in this study we developed five quantitative structure–biodegradability relationship (QSBR) models based on OECD 301D data from the literature and our own in-house biodegradation experiments. These models can potentially be part of a test battery for designing fully mineralising ILs to increase the overall reliability of the biodegradability assessment and reduce uncertainties. Two datasets were formed and randomly divided into a training set with 233 and 321 compounds and a test set with 26 and 36 compounds, respectively. Both classification and regression models were built using molecular fragments with the aim to predict the classification and continuous biodegradation rate, respectively. The internal and external validations produced a R2 of 0.620–0.854 for the regression models and accuracy, true positive rate, and true negative rate were between 62 and 100% for the classification models indicating an adequate performance but also a need for improvement. For the models and the test battery presented in this study, further research is needed to demonstrate their applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroreduction of CO2 to energy chemicals in aqueous electrolytes is usually limited by logy OER at the anode and competing HER at the cathode. An N-doped carbon encapsulated Cu-CoO composite (CuCo@NC) fabricated by the facile pyrolysis of Cu and Co salts and melamine mixture was used as a cathode for CO2 reduction to CO and CH4, coupled with the anodic oxidation of CH3OH to dimethoxymethane in an ionic liquid-methanol medium to boost the anode reaction. The electrolytic system exhibits efficient redox activity with a higher average FEDMM (58.7%) within 48 h and high instantaneous FEC1 (99.1%) for CO + CH4 at 24 h. Simultaneous production of the high-value chemicals DMM and CO + CH4 in an electrolysis cell is achieved. The surface composition and structure of this composite with higher saturation magnetization, specifically the contribution of the Cu, CuOx, and CoOx crystallines to the catalytic performance of CO2eRR and magnetic properties, were explored. The catalytic system achieves high activity within 72 h of continuous electrolysis, and the electrode and ionic liquid can remain intact after being used three times, indicating the high operational stability of the CO2eRR system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of Al-ion battery with carbon paper as the cathode, high-purity Al foil as the anode and ionic liquid as the electrolyte is proposed in this work. The significance of the presented battery is going to be an extremely high average voltage plateau of ca. 1.8 V vs. Al3+/Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A versatile platform for the preparation of chitin films with tunable strength, morphology, and efficacy of application has been designed from an ionic liquid process for the production of more sustainable high value materials. Films were prepared by a simple casting method from a solution of chitin in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]). The chitin source, the loading in ionic liquid, and the drying methods defined film properties such as strength, porosity, and water absorbency. Only chitin directly extracted from shrimp shells using the ionic liquid (rather than commercially available chitin) could be used to cast films strong enough to be handled and dried. The optimal loading of chitin in the ionic liquid was determined to be 2.5 wt% and different drying methods led to different film properties (e.g., hard and rigid vs. soft and porous). As an exemplary application, loading and release of a model drug (caffeine) was investigated. Interestingly, a burst release of the majority of the caffeine was observed in the first 20 minutes, followed by slow release of the remainder. Although more investigations are needed, the chitin film platform can be thought of as an attractive new tool in the development of packaging materials, biomedical devices, and absorbent materials (M. Rinaudo, Prog. Polym. Sci., 2006, 31, 603–632) made from one of Nature's most abundant polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) absorption has attracted much attention due to serious environmental pollution caused by ammonia in recent years. In this paper, the solubilities of ammonia (pressure–temperature–composition (pTx) data) in five dialkylphosphate-based ionic liquids (ILs) were determined at different temperatures (303.15 K–333.15 K) and pressures (about 0.1 MPa–0.6 MPa). It was found that the solubilities of ammonia increased with decreasing temperature and increasing pressure. NH3 dissolution could be improved in ILs with longer side chain lengths in the imidazolium ring of cations and shorter side chain lengths in anions, which could be related to the densities and viscosities of the ILs. Moreover, based on NH3 solubility data, Henry's law constants were obtained using the Peng–Robinson (PR) equation of state. Consequently thermodynamic properties including solution enthalpy ΔsolH, solution entropy ΔsolS and solution Gibbs free energy ΔsolG were calculated. The results indicated that higher absolute values of ΔsolH could generally demonstrate stronger interactions between NH3 and ILs, which corresponds to the smaller Henry's law constants and higher solubility of NH3 in the ILs. In addition these ILs can exhibit excellent reversibility, indicating that these ILs can be regarded as potential absorbents for NH3 in chemical industry processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids have excellent physical and chemical properties, enabling them to be widely used in electrochemical oxygen sensors. In recent years, the preparation of modified materials and ionic liquids mixed to improve the oxygen sensitivity of sensors has become a hotspot. In this study, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), which is a liquid at room temperature, was successfully prepared by a simple one-pot method, and BMIMPF6 reacts at different oxygen concentrations. Bamboo-like carbon nanotube (BCNT) composites containing cobalt nanoparticles derived from graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) were prepared and fully mixed with the ionic liquid to form the BCNT/Co + BMIMPF6 composite. The electrochemical behavior of oxygen in the electrochemical sensor was studied. The results show that the response current and stability of the oxygen sensor based on the BCNT/Co + BMIMPF6 composite are significantly improved, the sensitivity is 1.15 μA/[%O2], the response time is 16 s, and the linearity is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) form a subclass of ionic liquids (ILs) that possess paramagnetic properties and can respond to an external magnetic field, facilitating ease of manipulation in immiscible solvents. Despite being popular as solvents in catalysis, organic synthesis, and separations, MILs are obtained through complex and labor-intensive synthetic/purification routes that increase cost, are time-consuming, and require expertise in organic synthesis. To date, no study has successfully developed a straightforward and rapid procedure for MILs that also eliminates purification. In this study, transition metal-containing bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([NTf2−]) salts and N-alkylimidazoles, diglycolamides, and O-donor ligands were used to produce hydrophobic MILs that could maintain their chemical integrity under water for over 6 months. A neat heat/stir method was employed to form MILs for long-term storage or later use while an in situ method was used for select combinations to generate the same MIL under 30 s in the bulk presence of water. Viscosities as low as 198.3 cP at 22.8 °C were obtained that were comparable to previous classes of paramagnetic solvents. In contrast to MILs comprised of O-donor ligands, those formed with alkylimidazoles and diglycolamides were found to be soluble in non-polar solvents such as hexane at concentrations of up to 50% (w/v) MIL-to-solvent ratio while being insoluble in water even at 0.01% (w/v). Effective magnetic moment values for MILs ranged from 2.78 to 5.16 Bohr magnetons (μB) and were observed to be dependent on the metal center in the [NTf2−] salts. The solvents possessed excellent thermal stabilities with diglycolamide-based MILs exhibiting structural resilience up to 345 °C. The synthetic design of these MILs has successfully achieved the primary objective of facilitating easy access to magnetoactive solvents by reducing their preparation to a simple step consisting of mixing two readily available reagents to expedite production in high-throughput laboratories where these compounds can be incorporated in automated separations and analytical testing systems where their magnetic properties can be conveniently exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium isotopes with high abundances (6Li and 7Li) are crucial for the advancement of nuclear energy. In order to achieve the effective separation of 7Li, a Sudan I-[HMIm][BF4]-anisole extraction system was built employing Sudan I (1-benzeneazo-2-naphthol) as the extractant and hydrophobic ionic liquid [HMIm][BF4] as the co-extractant. By optimizing the organic and aqueous phase components, the extraction rate of the system could reach up to 26.30%, and the single-stage separation factor of the system could reach 1.015 ± 0.001. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the extraction process was investigated, and it was found that the ratio of Sudan I to lithium ions is 1 : 1, and the thermodynamic enthalpy change of the extraction process was less than zero (ΔH < 0), indicating that the extraction process of the system was an exothermic process. The construction of the Sudan-ionic liquid extraction separation system provides a new idea for the study of 7Li enrichment and separation and also provides a possibility for the industrialization of high-abundance 7Li enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an ionic liquid, 1-[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-oxopropyl]-3-methylimidazolium chloride (1,3-(CO)2IL-HCl), was synthesized and used as a donor of hydrogen chloride (HCl) to participate in an organic reaction. Interestingly, the simultaneously generated 1-[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-oxopropyl]-3-methylimidazolium inner salt (1,3-(CO)2IL) can then capture HCl from another reaction that produces HCl as a waste. This allowed us to use IL as a shuttle to transfer waste HCl from the first reaction to the second one that needs HCl as one of the reactants. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a ring-opening reaction of glycidyl phenyl ether with released HCl was selected; and the waste HCl comes from an alcoholysis of benzoyl chloride with ethanol. 1,3-(CO)2IL can be used as a shuttle for transferring HCl five times without evident decline of its performance. Mechanism investigation revealed that the interconversion of keto and enol forms in 1,3-(CO)2IL and a moderate pKa value are keys to ensuring the release and capture of HCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental requirements of self-powered hydrogels used in flexible electronic products encompass excellent mechanical performance and conductivity. However, simultaneously achieving high performance in both the aspects remains a great challenge during the fabrication of self-powered hydrogels. In this study, robust and recyclable self-powered polysaccharide-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) networks were established by modulating ionic channels using Zn2+/Li+ bimetallic salt solutions. The results indicate that the hydrogel equilibrated in a bimetallic salt solution of 1 M concentration can simultaneously achieve an impressive tensile strength of 1.36 MPa and an optimal ionic conductivity of 1.64 S m−1 since carboxyl groups on the polysaccharide chains enable the adsorption of more metal ions without restricting ionic mobility as a result of higher conductivity. By leveraging their excellent electrochemical performance, conductive hydrogels can serve not only as flexible sensing materials with enhanced sensitivity to monitor human motion and facilitate information transmission, but also as recyclable electrolytes in self-powered hydrogel batteries. Interestingly, self-powered hydrogel batteries can maintain a stable voltage of 0.82 V and show good recyclability, which can restore the original voltage output via a simple salt solution equilibration method, offering significant potential in applications such as wilderness survival. This work provides a novel strategy for the rapid and green preparation of robust, recyclable, and self-powered polysaccharide-based hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of cyclic carbonates through cycloaddition reactions between epoxides and carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important industrial process. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have functional and ordered pore structures, making them attractive catalysts for converting gas molecules into valuable products. One approach to enhance the catalytic activity of MOFs in CO2 cycloaddition reactions is to create open metal sites within MOFs. In this study, the amino-functionalized rare earth Gd-MOF (Gd-TPTC-NH2) and its ionic liquid composite catalysts (Gd-TPTC-NH-[BMIM]Br) were synthesized using 2'-amino-[1,1':4',1"-terphenyl]-3,3",5,5"-tetracarboxylic acid (H4TPTC-NH2) as the ligand. The catalytic performance of these two catalysts was observed in the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 and epoxides. Under the optimized reaction conditions, Gd-TPTC-NH-[BMIM]Br can effectively catalyze the cycloaddition reaction of a variety of epoxide substrates with good to excellent yields of cyclic carbonate products. Comparatively, epichlorohydrin and epibromohydrin, which possess halogen substituents, promote higher yields of cyclic carbonates due to the electron-withdrawing nature of Cl and Br substituents. Additionally, the Gd-TPTC-NH- [BMIM]Br catalyst demonstrated good recyclability and reproducibility, maintaining its catalytic activity without any changes in its structure or properties after five reuse cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]