Yes / A series of novel nopyl-derived chiral phosphonium ionic liquids have been successfully synthesised and characterised. Analysis of each novel ionic liquid was conducted in order to confirm structure, purity and thermal stability.

Fosfoniumjonvätskor har tidigare studerats som potentiella nya avancerade smörjmedel på grund av sina unika fysikaliska egenskaper och fördelar jämfört med både traditionella smörjmedel och andra typer av jonvätskor. Dessa studier har uppvisat lovande resultat med avseende på reducering av nötning och friktion såväl som kontroll av dessa parametrar med en pålagd elektrisk potential. En multitud av frågor återstår dock att besvara om strukturering av jonarter i den skyddande gränssnittfilmen som bildas och kopplingen mellan strukturella drag i de involverade jonarterna och den skyddande funktionen av gränsnittsfilmen. I denna avhandling studeras ett flertal mono och dikatjon fosfoniumjonvätskor med icke halogena bis(oxalato)borat anjoner såväl som en binär blandning av dessa av intresse som nya avancerade smörjmedel och som additiv med neutronreflektometri vid ett elektrifierat elektrodgränssnitt med syfte att studera strukturella egenskaper av den gränsnittsfilmen som bildas samt elektroresponsiviteten av denna film. Resultaten av detta uppvisar egenskaper om både struktureringen av jonarterna och deras elektroresponsivitet av intresse för den fortsatta utvecklingen av avancerade smörjmedelslösningar med fosfoniumjonvätskor. / Phosphonium ionic liquids(ILs) has previously been investigated as advanced novel lubricants because of their physical unique properties and advantages compared to traditional lubricants and other ILs. These studies have showed promising results in wear and friction reduction as well as the tribotronic control of those properties. A multitude of questions however remain about the interfacial structuring of these protective films and the connection between structural features in the ionic species to the protective function of the interfacial film.In this thesis multiple non-halogenated mono- and di-cationic phosphonium ionic liquids with bis(oxalato)borate anion as well as a binary mixture of interest for advanced neat lubricants or additives has been studied by neutron reflectometry at an electrified electrode interface to investigate interfacial properties and electroresponsiveness of the species. The results elucidate properties of the structuring of key to the further development of phosphonium ILs for use in advanced lubrication formulations.

Biocompatible composites, generated from renewable biomass feedstock, are regarded as promising materials that could replace synthetic polymers and reduce global dependence on fossil fuel sources. Wood cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, holds great potential as a renewable biomass feedstock. To unlock the entire scope of potential benefits of this feedstock, the wood components - namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin - need to be separated and processed individually. Current methods to separate wood components, such as Kraft pulping for example, suffer considerable drawbacks and cannot be considered environmentally benign. This thesis aims to increase our understanding of the interaction between ionic liquids (ILs) and biomass, in order to develop superior biomass processing techniques necessary to ensure a rapid transformation of our society towards full sustainability. The first part of this work deals with the particular interaction of ILs with cellulose, and aims to investigate the structural requirements of ILs in order to qualify as a cellulose solvent. The cellulose-dissolving behaviour of selected alkanolammonium ILs was studied, and, combined with the results of an extensive literature review, a novel concept for the interaction of cellulose-dissolving ILs with cellulose was developed. It was postulated that efficient cellulose solvents need to position themselves in a distinct manner - with respect to the cellulose chain - in order to offer H-bond interaction sites with enhanced stability. As a result, alternative ions for cellulose-dissolving ILs were proposed, including oxazolium, 1,3-oxaphospholium, dimethylcarbamate, phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite. The second part of the work investigated the use of food-additive based ILs for the separation of wood lignin, and studied the influence of selected process parameters, such as extraction time, extraction temperature, IL moisture content, wood particle size, wood species, IL cation species, solvent composition, and IL recyclability on the lignin extraction efficiency. The lignin extract and the wood residues were characterised via infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and gel permeation chromatography. An extraction efficiency of e = 0.43 of wood lignin was achieved in one gentle extraction step ( T = 373 K, t = 2 h), and it was found that the presence of a co-solvent increased the extraction efficiency to e = 0.60. Gentle conditions during IL treatment did not decrease the crystallinity of the wood sample, and the extracted lignin had both a larger molecular mass and a more uniform molecular mass distribution, compared to commercially available Kraft lignin. The outcomes of both studies were critically evaluated, addressing existing drawbacks and restrictions that need to be considered, and possibilities for future work were suggested.

Concerns over industrial emissions and nuclear waste have led to the need to study ways to sequester industrial gasses, and recycle nuclear fuel. Two projects were done to study solvent systems for these two problems using computational methods. Current methods for SO₂ sequestration are wasteful in that the gasses cannot be extracted from the solvent, and the solvent cannot be reused. One possible solution, which this work focuses on, is the use of an ionic liquid as a sequestration agent for the adsorption of SO₂. Separation technology for heavy elements has not changed for over 60 years and issues with radiation contamination and low efficiency lead to high solvent waste. Biphasic alkane-water extraction systems are a possible solution as they have been used for the extraction of heavy elements. This work focuses on characterizing the factors that control partitioning in biphasic systems which increase extraction efficiency.

Electrostatic interactions between charged species play a prominent role in determining structures and states of physical system, leading to important technological and biological applications. In coarse-grained simulations, accurate description of electrostatic interactions is crucial in addressing physical phenomena at larger spatial and longer temporal scales. In this thesis, we implement ENUF method, an abbreviation for Ewald summation based on non-uniform fast Fourier transform technique, into dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) scheme. With determined suitable parameters, the computational complexity of ENUF-DPD method is approximately described as O(N logN). The ENUF-DPD method is further validated by investigating dependence of polyelectrolyte conformations on charge fraction of polyelectrolyte and counterion valency of added salts, and studying of specific binding structures of dendrimers on amphiphilic membranes. In coarse-grained simulations, electrostatic interactions are either explicitly calculated with suitable methods, or implicitly included in effective potentials. The effect of treatment fashion of electrostatic interactions on phase behavior of [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid (IL) is systematically investigated. Our systematic analyses show that electrostatic interactions should be incorporated explicitly in development of effective potentials, as well as in coarse-grained simulations to improve reliability of simulation results. Detailed image of microscopic structures and orientations of [BMIM][PF6] at graphene and vacuum interfaces are investigated by using atomistic simulations. Imidazolium rings and alkyl side chains of [BMIM] lie preferentially flat on graphene surface. At IL-vacuum interface, ionic groups pack closely together to form polar domains, leaving alkyl side chains populated at interface and imparting hydrophobic character. With the increase of IL filmthickness, orientations of [BMIM] change gradually from dominant flat distributions along graphene surface to orientations where imidazolium rings are either parallel or perpendicular to IL-vacuum interface with tilted angles. The interfacial spatial ionic structural heterogeneity formed by ionic groups also contributes to heterogeneous dynamics in interfacial regions.

De nos jours, nous sommes entourés de dispositifs microélectroniques de plus en plus petits et performants. Pour poursuivre cette évolution, une nouvelle technologie est en cours de développement qui consiste à empiler plusieurs circuits intégrés. L’une des clefs pour aboutir à ce type d’architecture est la formation de microvias entre les différentes couches. Ce travail s’inscrit dans un à objectif à long terme qui vise à la mise au point d'un procédé innovant à coût réduit pour la métallisation de ces microvias, à partir de nanoparticules (NPs) métalliques de taille parfaitement calibrée. En particulier, des NPs bimétalliques de Mn et Cu pourraient être des précurseurs intéressants pour l'élaboration de barrières dites auto-formées et de couches d’accroches dans les microvias. Les liquides ioniques sont des milieux intéressants pour la synthèse de telles NPs, notamment à partir de précurseurs organométalliques. Il a été démontré que leur structure tridimensionnelle spécifique « guide » la croissance de NPs de Ru et les stabilise tout en les laissant libres de toute contamination de surface. Dans ce travail, ce concept a été enrichi par la synthèse de NPs d’autres métaux tels que Cu et Mn, et étendu à la formation de NPs constituées de deux métaux (M-M’NPs bimétalliques). De façon remarquable, les M-M’NPs obtenues ont toujours une taille inférieure aux MNPs et M’NPs prises séparément. Ces suspensions homogènes, très stables dans le temps, ont été directement déposées et frittées sur des substrats technologiques dans le but de former des films métalliques uniformes et adhérents. / Nowadays, microelectronic devices are omnipresent in our everyday life. To make them smaller and smaller as well as smarter and smarter, a new process which consists in stacking integrated circuits is being studied. In order to build this type of structures, the fabrication of microvias between layers is key. This work ultimately aims at developing an innovative process with reduced cost for the efficient metallization of these microvias. This can be achieved using perfectly calibrated metallic nanoparticles (NPs). In particular, bimetallic Mn-CuNPs could be interesting precursors to grow “self-formed” barriers and seed layers in microvias. Ionic liquids (ILs) are extremely well adapted media for the synthesis of such nano-objects, especially when organometallic precursors are used. It has been shown that theirspecific 3D structure provides a template to grow RuNPs of controlled size. The IL also acts as stabilizer, eliminating the need to use ligands that contaminate the metallic surface. In this work, this concept have been extended to the synthesis of other metallic NPs, such as Cu and Mn, as well as synthesis of NPs containing the two metals (bimetallic M-M’NPs). Remarkably, these M-M’NPs always exhibit a smaller size than the MNPs and M’NPs separately. These homogeneous and stable suspensions have been directly applied and sintered onto technological substrates in order to form uniform and adherent metallic layers.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemical Engineering / Jennifer L. Anthony / Zeolites and zeolite-like materials are a group of porous materials with many applications in industry including but not limited to detergent builders and catalyst in the oil refining and petrochemical industry, due to their unique properties such as uniform pore size, large surface area and ion-exchange capacity. Researchers are constantly seeking new methods to synthesize zeolites. Zeolites are commonly synthesized in water. Then in 2004, a new method called ionothermal synthesis was invented by Dr. Morris and his colleagues, using ionic liquids (ILs) and eutectic mixtures as the solvent. In contrast to water, ILs and eutectic mixtures have negligible vapor pressure, thus making the use of high-pressure vessel unnecessary. In addition, they have various structures which could render new structures to frameworks of zeolite. Furthermore, since the cations of some ILs have structures which are similar to common structure directing agents, they theoretically could be used both as solvent and structure directing agent in ionothermal synthesis, possibly simplifying the synthesis process. This project is aimed at investigating the behavior of precursors of zeolites in ionic liquids and the interaction between precursors and ionic liquids in ionothermal synthesis because these fundamental properties could be useful in the current and future synthesis of zeolites. First, solubilities of different precursors, including Syloid 63 silica particles, aluminium isopropoxide (Al(OiPr)3) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) in ILs with different structures are reported. Parameters such as activity coefficient and Henry’s constant are calculated from the solubility result. Second, interaction between precursors and ILs are studied. It is found that the addition of ILs in Al(OiPr)3 could change the structure of Al(OiPr)3, especially with the presence of H3PO4. Both ILs’ structures and temperature are capable of influencing the structure change of Al(OiPr)3. Third, hydrochloric acid is used for the first time as the mineralizer to synthesize aluminophosphates in ILs and it could lead to both dense and porous materials. Regardless of the acid used, frameworks synthesized after several hours always undergo a dramatic change after further heating. A slightly longer alkyl chain of ILs could accelerate the formation of crystalline materials. Increasing concentration of precursors in the reaction gel could increase the yield, but the same framework is not retained. Researches have also been done on stability of ILs in the synthesis process and it is found that heat and the presence of H3PO4 could decompose ILs, but the decomposed amount is extremely small.

Os líquidos iônicos (LIs) são eletrólitos promissores para uso em baterias de lítio e outros dispositivos eletroquímicos, devido às suas propriedades físico-químicas únicas como, por exemplo, ampla faixa de temperatura como liquido, boa condutividade, baixa pressão de vapor e estabilidade térmica, química e eletroquímica. Um LI é composto normalmente por um cátion orgânico e um ânion orgânico ou inorgânico. Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados novos líquidos tanto modificando o ânion como o cátion. Em ambos os casos procurou-se LIs com ótimas propriedades de transporte e que melhorassem a condutividade do lítio em relação condutividade total da mistura LI - sal de lítio. Em primeira instância, foram sintetizados e caracterizados os seguintes líquidos iônicos derivados do ânion [B(CN)4]-: [BMPYR][B(CN)4] (N-butil-N-metilpirrolidínio tetracianoborato), [BMP][B(CN)4] (N-nbutil- N-metilpiperidínio tetracianoborato) e [BMMI][B(CN)4] (1-n-butil-2,3-dimetilimidazólio tetracianoborato), sendo os dois primeiros são líquidos na temperatura ambiente. Quando comparados com os derivados de bis(trifluorometanosulfonil)imideto, [Tf2N]-, os líquidos iônicos derivados de tetracianoborato apresentam melhores valores de condutividade e viscosidade, sendo isto refletidos em um maior valor do parâmetro condutividade do lítio (σLi). Além disso, estes LI possuem maior estabilidade química e eletroquímica. Utilizou-se a técnica de espectroscopia Raman para estudar os líquidos [BMPYR][B(CN)4] e [BMP][B(CN)4] e suas misturas com sal de lítio (0,1 molL-1 de LiB(CN)4), demostrando-se que a interação entre o íon lítio e o ânion tetracianoborato é muito baixa, o que explica o altos valores do número de transporte e condutividade do lítio nestes sistemas. já através da Modificação do cátion, foram sintetizados cinco líquidos iônicos derivados de fosfônio, usando sempre o ânion [Tf2N]-. Entre eles são líquidos na temperatura unicamente os LIs [P2225][Tf2N] (Bis(trifluormetilsulfonil)imideto de trieltilpentilfosfônio) e [P222(201)][Tf2N] (Bis(trifluormetilsulfonil)imideto de trietil(2-metoxietil)fosfônio). Estes líquidos apresentaram excelentes propriedades de transporte e estabilidade eletroquímica quando comparados com seus equivalentes derivados de nitrogênio. Quando se adicionou o sal de lítio, LiTf2N, em concentrações de 1 e 2 molL-1 , os líquidos apresentaram um decréscimo das propriedades de transporte, embora demostrarem efeito menor em comparação com os líquidos iônicos derivados de nitrogênio, apresentando inclusive maiores valores nos números de transporte e de condutividade do lítio nas misturas estudadas. / Ionic liquids (ILs), are of great interest nowadays as electrolytes for lithium ion batteries due their unique characteristics, which include: liquid state over a wide temperature range; nonvolatility, which assures thermal stability and nonflammability; high ion content, which results in high ionic conductivity; and excellent chemical and electrochemical stability. ILs consists of an organic cation and an inorganic or organic anion. In order to improve the transport properties, the cation and anion of the ionic liquid were changed. Three ionic liquids derived from the anion [B(CN)4]- were synthetized and chararacterized: [BMPYR][B(CN)4] (N-n-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium tetracyanoborate) [BMP][B(CN)4] (N-n-butyl-Nmethylpiperidinium tetracyanoborate) and [BMMI][B(CN)4] (1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetracyanoborate). The first two are liquid at room temperature. When comparing these ionic liquid with the analogous ones containing the anion Tf2N, it was found that ILs derivates from tetracyanoborate have better transport properties which is reflected in a larger value of parameter conductivity of lithium (σLi). Moreover these ILs have higher chemical and electrochemical stability. The Raman spectroscopy was employed to study the BMPYRB(CN)4 and BMPB(CN)4 liquids and their mixtures with lithium salt (0.1 mol L-1 of LiB(CN)4); it was demonstrated that the interaction between the lithium ion and anion tetracyanoborate is very low, which explains the high values of conductivity and transport numbers of lithium in these systems. Furthermore five ionic liquids from the phosphonium cation was synthesized always using the anion [Tf2N]-; being liquid at room temperature only the ILs [P2225][Tf2N] (triethyln-pentylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) and [P222(201)][Tf2N] (triethyl (2- methoxyethyl) phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl imide) imide). It was found that these liquids have excellent transport properties and electrochemical stability when compared with their counterparts derived from nitrogen; furthermore, when lithium salt LiTf2N, was added at concentrations of 1 and 2 mol L-1, the ILs containing the phosphonium cations have also shown a decrease in the transport properties, however, the effect is less pronounced when compared to ionic liquids derived from nitrogen, presenting higher transport number and lithium ion conductivity.

Líquidos Iônicos eletropolimerizáveis são caracterizados como líquidos iônicos que possuem um grupo eletropolimerizável ligado ao cátion ou ânion, a partir da eletropolimerização destes líquidos iônicos ocorre a imobilização dos íons em uma estrutura polimérica. Neste trabalho é apresentado a síntese de um líquido iônico eletropolimerizável onde anilina foi introduzida como grupo eletropolimerizante no cátion metil-imidazólio. Várias metodologias foram testadas para a eletropolimerização deste líquido iônico, envolvendo a utilização de solventes orgânicos e líquidos iônicos como eletrólitos. A copolimerização com anilina mostrou-se eficiente para obtenção de filmes poliméricos com a presença do monômero sintetizado. A influência deste monômero presente no copolímero foi estudada em relação ao comportamento eletroquímico, demonstrando o aumento da eletroatividade do polímero em líquidos iônicos apróticos. Em relação à morfologia, observou-se que a presença do monômero produz filmes mais compactos diferentemente da polianilina que apresenta uma morfologia dendrítica. Os processos eletrocrômicos para o copolímero não sofrem defasagem em relação aos processos eletroquímicos como observados na polianilina. Os processos redox do material foram acompanhados por EQCM-D demonstrando que a compensação de carga ocorre a partir do fluxo de cátions. Assim a presença monômero sintetizado no copolímero afeta o comportamento da polianilina, assim como qualquer substituinte volumoso, porém o copolímero apresenta propriedades intrínsecas de líquidos iônicos, demonstrando a formação de um material multifuncional. / Electropolymerizable lonic liquids have groups that are susceptible to electropolymerization bounded either to the cationic or anionic structure. In such cases, the ionic species can be immobilized into a polymeric matrix. This work presents the synthesis of an electropolymerizable ionic liquid in which aniline was inserted as the eletrocpolymerizable group in methyl-imidazolium. Several methods were tested for the electropolymerization, involving the use of organic solvents or ionic liquids as electrolytes. The copolymerization with aniline units was effective to obtain polyrnenc films in the presence of the synthesized monomer. The influence of the monomer in the copolymer was studied with respect to the electrochemical behavior, showing the increasing of the polymer electroactivity in aprotic ionic liquid electrolyte. The presence of the monomer produces more compact films than polyaniline which presents a dendritic morphology. The spectroeletrochemical processes for the copolymer do not suffer lag in relation to electrochemical processes as observed in polyaniline. The redox processes were monitored by EQCM-D demonstrating that the charge compensation takes place from the flow of cations. The presence of the synthesized monomer in the copolymer affects the behavior of polyaniline, as well as any substituent in the aniline, however the copolymer shows intrinsic properties of ionic liquids, demonstrating the formation of a multifunctional material

A procura por fontes de energia confiáveis para motores elétricos, levou a grande esforços de síntese de novos eletrólitos para uso em baterias de íon-Li, de modo a aliar eficiência e segurança. Líquidos iônicos têm sido largamente estudados para este propósito. Misturas do sal Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiTf2N, no líquido iônico (LI) formado pelo cátion 1-butil-2,3-dimetilimidazólio, BMMI, e o ânion (CF3SO2)2N-, bis(trifluorometanosulfonil)imideto, Tf2N, foram preparadas em diferentes concentrações. A adição do sal de lítio a este liquido iônico diminuiu a mobilidade de todas as espécies, especialmente o Li+. A condutividade estimada usando os dados de difusão (NMRPGSE), os dados da espectroscopia Raman e as simulações por Dinâmica Molecular sugerem a formação de agregados compostos por ânions Tf2N em torno do Li+, com os oxigênios do Tf2N direcionados para o cátion Li+. Estes agregados aumentam conforme aumenta a concentração de LiTf2N, contribuindo para a diminuição da condutividade. Para contornar este obstáculo, foram sintetizados líquidos iônicos contendo um átomo de oxigênio na estrutura do cátion, de modo a promover a competição com os oxigênios do Tf2N pelo cátion Li+, prevenindo Li+ de formar agregados de grande massa e melhorando sua difusividade. Os cations escolhidos foram o 1,2-dimetil-imidazólio e o N-metilmorfolino. Estes LI´s serão representados por [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] e [Et2OMor][Tf2N], respectivamente. Os resultados mostraram que [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] tem uma menor janela eletroquímica (3,8V) que [BMMI][Tf2N] (4,6V), mas o potencial de redução para ambos é igual, o que os torna resistentes à redução pelo lítio metálico. Estes dois LI´s tem quase a mesma densidade e a viscosidade de [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] é 20% menor que a de [BMMI][Tf2N]. Sendo menos viscoso, é esperado que [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] tenha uma maior condutividade. De fato, sua condutividade é 40% maior que a de [BMMI][Tf2N], o que sugere que o grupo éter adiciona alguma modificação estrutural ao sistema, mostrando que neste caso, as mudanças no transporte de carga não decorrem apenas em função da fluidez. Coeficientes de difusão de [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] são maiores que aqueles de [Et2OMor][Tf2N], mas um pouco menores que aqueles de [BMMI][Tf2N]. Também foram estudadas as mudanças nas propriedades físico-químicas em [BMMI][Tf2N] decorrentes da adição do gás SO2. Todas as propriedades de transporte tiveram aumento e uma diminuição na dinâmica de formação de pares iônicos foi sugerida pelos dados experimentais / The searching for reliable power sources for electrical engines has lead to great efforts in order to synthesize new electrolytes to be used in Li-ion batteries in order to make them powerful and safe. Ionic liquids have been widely studied for this purpose. Lithium salt solutions of Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiTf2N, in a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium cation, BMMI, and the (CF3SO2)2N-, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, Tf2N, were prepared in different concentrations. The addition of a lithium salt to this RTIL decreases the mobility of all species, especially Li+. Estimated conductivities (NMR-PGSE), Raman spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulation data suggest the formation of aggregates formed by [Tf2N] anions around Li+, with [Tf2N]´s oxygen atoms pointing toward Li+. These aggregates increase as LiTf2N content is increased, thus contributing to diminish conductivity. To overcome this obstacle, it was synthesized ionic liquids with ether-function-containing cations, so, oxygen atom from the ether group could compete for Li+ against the oxygen atoms from [Tf2N], preventing Li+ to form high mass aggregates improving the Li+ diffusion process. The chosen cations were the 1,2-dimethyl-imidazolium and N-methylmorpholine. RTILs were represented by [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] and [Et2OMor][Tf2N], respectively. Results show that [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] has a lower electrochemical window (3,8V) than [BMMI][Tf2N] (4,6V), but their reduction potential is equal, which makes them resistant to reduction by metallic lithium. These two RTIL´s have almost the same density and the viscosity of [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] is 20% lower than that of [BMMI][Tf2N]. Being less viscous, it is expected that [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] had a higher conductivity. It has in fact a conductivity 40% higher than [BMMI][Tf2N], which suggests that the ether chain add some structural modification to the system, showing that in this case, changes in charge transport is not only a function of the fluidity. Diffusion coefficients of [Et2OMMI][Tf2N] are higher than those of [Et2OMor][Tf2N], but a little bit lower than those of [BMMI][Tf2N]. It was also addressed the physical property changes in [BMMI][Tf2N] with the increasing addition of SO2. All the transport properties have improved and a decrease in ionic pair formation was suggested by experiment data