Ionic liquids are room-temperature molten salts, composed mostly of organic ions that may undergo almost unlimited structural variations. This review covers the newest aspects of ionic liquids in applications where their ion conductivity is exploited; as electrochemical solvents for metal/semiconductor electrodeposition, and as batteries and fuel cells where conventional media, organic solvents (in batteries) or water (in polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells), fail. Biology and biomimetic processes in ionic liquids are also discussed. In these decidedly different materials, some enzymes show activity that is not exhibited in more traditional systems, creating huge potential for bioinspired catalysis and biofuel cells. Our goal in this review is to survey the recent key developments and issues within ionic-liquid research in these areas. As well as informing materials scientists, we hope to generate interest in the wider community and encourage others to make use of ionic liquids in tackling scientific challenges.

Ionic-liquid materials for the electrochemical challenges of the future.

In recent years, Carbon Capture and Storage (Sequestration) (CCS) has been proposed as a potential method to allow the continued use of fossil-fuelled power stations whilst preventing emissions of CO2 from reaching the atmosphere. Gas, coal (and biomass)-fired power stations can respond to changes in demand more readily than many other sources of electricity production, hence the importance of retaining them as an option in the energy mix. Here, we review the leading CO2 capture technologies, available in the short and long term, and their technological maturity, before discussing CO2 transport and storage. Current pilot plants and demonstrations are highlighted, as is the importance of optimising the CCS system as a whole. Other topics briefly discussed include the viability of both the capture of CO2 from the air and CO2 reutilisation as climate change mitigation strategies. Finally, we discuss the economic and legal aspects of CCS.

Carbon capture and storage update

Roger Sheldon (1942) received a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Leicester (UK) in 1967. This was followed by post-doctoral studies with Prof. Jay Kochi in the U.S. From 1969 to 1980 he was with Shell Research in Amsterdam and from 1980 to 1990 he was R&D Director of DSM Andeno. In 1991 he moved to his present position as Professor of organic chemistry and catalysis at the Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands). His primary research interests are in the application of catalytic methodologies—homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic—in organic synthesis, particularly in relation to fine chemicals production. He developed the concepts of E factors and atom utilization for assessing the environmental impact of chemical processes.

Biocatalysis in ionic liquids

This review gives a survey on the latest most representative developments and progress concerning ionic liquids, from their fundamental properties to their applications in catalytic processes. It also highlights their emerging use for biomass treatment and transformation.

Ionic liquids and catalysis: Recent progress from knowledge to applications

Trends in bioconversion of lignocellulose: Biofuels, platform chemicals & biorefinery concept

CO2 separation facilitated by task-specific ionic liquids using a supported liquid membrane

Extraction of rare earth metals into ionic liquids (ILs) from aqueous solutions was investigated using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) as an extractant. Use of ILs greatly enhanced the extraction efficiency and selectivity of CMPO for metal ions compared to when n-dodecane was used as the extracting solvent. The extraction mechanism has been studied by slope analysis and extraction tests, and these confirmed that the metal extraction proceeds via a cation-exchange mechanism. Furthermore, stripping of metals from ILs into an aqueous phase by complexing agents and recycling of the extracting ILs phase was successfully accomplished.

Feasibility of Ionic Liquids as Alternative Separation Media for Industrial Solvent Extraction Processes

Octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) dissolved in an ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, greatly enhances extractability and selectivity of lanthanide cations compared to that dissolved in conventional organic solvents; further, the recovery of lanthanides extracted into ionic liquids can be accomplished using several stripping solutions containing complexing agents The possibility of utilizing ionic liquids as novel separation media in an industrial liquid-liquid extraction process was demonstrated

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Ionic liquids as a novel solvent for lanthanide extraction

The enzymatic saccharification of a model cellulosic substrate, Avicel PH-101, using an ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate, was explored. After mixing the IL solution of cellulose with different volumes of 10 mM citrate buffer (pH 5.0), cellulase was directly added to the aqueous-IL mixture at 40 degrees C. When the volume of IL to water was greater than 3:2, little cellulase activity was observed. However, decreasing the volume ratio markedly enhanced enzymatic activity: an IL to water ratio of 1:4 (v/v) resulted in over 70% of the starting amount of cellulose (10 mg/ml) being converted to glucose and cellobiose.

Enzymatic in situ saccharification of cellulose in aqueous-ionic liquid media

http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/GC/b8/b802501k/b802501k.pdf

Kazunori Nakashima

Papers

CO2 separation facilitated by task-specific ionic liquids using a supported liquid membrane

Feasibility of Ionic Liquids as Alternative Separation Media for Industrial Solvent Extraction Processes

Ionic liquids as a novel solvent for lanthanide extraction

Enzymatic in situ saccharification of cellulose in aqueous-ionic liquid media

Water-in-ionic liquid microemulsions as a new medium for enzymatic reactions