Corrosion of Ni in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide room-temperature ionic liquid: an in situ X-ray imaging and spectromicroscopy study

This paper reports a pioneering application of soft X-ray scanning transmission microscopy (STXM), combined with micro-spot X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), for the investigation of the corrosion of metal electrodes in contact with room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). Using an open electrochemical cell in vacuo we explore some fundamental aspects of the aggressiveness of the 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([BMP][TFSA]) RTIL towards Ni under in situ electrochemical polarisation. The possibility of imaging electrochemically-induced morphological features in conjunction with micro-XAS and XRF spectroscopies has provided unprecedented details regarding the space distribution and chemical state of corrosion products.

Electrochemical deposition of conducting polymer coatings on magnesium surfaces in ionic liquid

A conducting polymer-based smart coating for magnesium (Mg) implants that can both improve the corrosion resistance of Mg and release a drug in a controllable way is reported. As the ionic liquid is a highly conductive and stable solvent with a very wide electrochemical window, the conducting polymer coatings can be directly electrodeposited on the active metal Mg in ionic liquid under mild conditions, and Mg is highly stable during the electrodeposition. The electrodeposited poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coatings on Mg are uniform and can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of Mg. In addition, the PEDOT coatings can load the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone during the electrodeposition, which can be subsequently released upon electric stimulation.

Recent developments in the utilization of green solvents in polymer chemistry

The use of solvents produces the largest amount of auxiliary waste in polymer science. Due to the fact that sustainable chemistry is becoming more and more important in polymer research, alternative reaction media have been investigated in order to reduce or replace the use of organic solvents. The most commonly used green solvents in polymer chemistry are water, supercritical carbon dioxide and ionic liquids. The progress of utilizing these green solvents in polymerization processes is reviewed and discussed in this critical review on the basis of results mainly published during the last five years (216 references).

Ionic liquids as advanced lubricant fluids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are finding technological applications as chemical reaction media and engineering fluids. Some emerging fields are those of lubrication, surface engineering and nanotechnology. ILs are thermally stable, non-flammable highly polar fluids with negligible volatility, these characteristics make them ideal candidates for new lubricants under severe conditions, were conventional oils and greases or solid lubricants fail. Such conditions include ultra-high vacuum and extreme temperatures. Other very promising areas which depend on the interaction between IL molecules and material surfaces are the use of ILs in the lubrication of microelectromechanic and nanoelectromechanic systems (MEMS and NEMS), the friction and wear reduction of reactive light alloys and the modification of nanophases.

Ionic liquids in electrochemical devices and processes: managing interfacial electrochemistry

Many ionic liquids offer a range of properties that make them attractive to the field of electrochemistry; indeed it was electrochemical research and applications that ushered in the modern era of interest in ionic liquids. In parallel with this, a variety of electrochemical devices including solar cells, high energy density batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors have become of intense interest as part of various proposed solutions to improve sustainability of energy supply in our societies. Much of our work over the last ten years has been motivated by such applications. Here we summarize the role of ionic liquids in these devices and the insights that the research provides for the broader field of interest of these fascinating liquids.

Ionic Liquids—Progress on the Fundamental Issues

Ionic liquids challenge conventional descriptions of fluids in a variety of ways. In the past, it has been common to oversimplify their behaviour and to ignore the complexity that was possible, given the burgeoning range of ionic liquids available. Here we discuss what is meant by the term ‘ionic liquid’ and some of the key fundamental issues in understanding their properties.