Leigh Aldous

Electrochemistry of Sulfur and Polysulfides in Ionic Liquids

The electrochemistry of elemental sulfur (S(8)) and the polysulfides Na(2)S(4) and Na(2)S(6) has been studied for the first time in nonchloroaluminate ionic liquids. The cyclic voltammetry of S(8) in the ionic liquids is different to the behavior reported in some organic solvents, with two reductions and one oxidation peak observed. Supported by in situ UV-vis spectro-electrochemical experiments, the main reduction products of S(8) in [C(4)mim][DCA] ([C(4)mim] = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium; DCA = dicyanamide) have been identified as S(6)(2-) and S(4)(2-), and plausible pathways for the formation of these species are proposed. Dissociation and/or disproportionation of the polyanions S(6)(2-) and S(4)(2-) appears to be slow in the ionic liquid, with only small amounts of the blue radical species S(3)(•-) formed in the solutions at r.t., in contrast with that observed in most molecular solvents.

Toward Membrane-Free Amperometric Gas Sensors: A Microelectrode Array Approach

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been applied to a microelectrode array and been demonstrated to form effective, membrane-free amperometric gas sensors. Determining the RTIL [P(6,6,6,14)][FAP] as the most appropriate choice for extended use, the amperometric quantification of oxygen has been demonstrated. The response of the sensor was quantified by both cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. A range of O(2) contents (2-13% v/v) and RTIL layer thicknesses (from ca. 6 to 125 mum) have been investigated. The combination of microelectrode array and RTIL, as well as the absence of membrane and volatile solvent, results in an elegant, easy to calibrate gas sensor with potential utility in standard and nonstandard conditions.

Ionic Liquids for Lignin Processing: Dissolution, Isolation, and Conversion

We present a review on the multifunctional use of ionic liquids with respect to lignin processing. In a biorefinery context, lignocellulosics could be used to provide sustainable sources of fuels such as bioethanol, and feedstock molecules for the chemical industry such as phenols and other aromatics. However, separation of lignin from cellulose and hemicellulose is a vital step. Ionic liquids can dissolve extensive quantities of biomass, and even be designed to be multifunctional solvents. We highlight the use of ionic liquids in selectively or non-selectively dissolving lignin, the depolymerization reactions that have been attempted on lignin in ionic liquids, and the effect ionic liquids have been observed to have on such processes. Finally, we present some of the challenges and issues that must be addressed before the informed and large-scale application of ionic liquids can be realized for lignin processing.

The effect of changing the components of an ionic liquid upon the solubility of lignin

A facile technique for the quantification of lignin solubility in ionic liquids has been established. This was used to examine the effect of the anionic and cationic components of ionic liquids on lignin solubility. Changing the cation was shown to have a significant effect on lignin solubility. Interaction of aromatic cations with the solute was significant in most, but not all, ionic liquids. The anion was required to have a minimum hydrogen bonding basicity value for lignin to dissolve, but after this point the anion effect on the overall lignin solubility was negligible relative to the cation.

Extraction of electrode kinetic parameters from microdisc voltammetric data measured under transport conditions intermediate between steady-state convergent and transient linear diffusion as typically applies to room temperature ionic liquids

The extraction of electrode kinetic parameters for electrochemical couples in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is currently an area of considerable interest. Electrochemists typically measure electrode kinetics in the limits of either transient planar or steady-state convergent diffusion for which the voltammetric response is well understood. In this paper we develop a general method allowing the extraction of this kinetic data in the region where the diffusion is intermediate between the planar and convergent limits, such as is often encountered in RTILs using microelectrode voltammetry. A general working surface is derived, allowing the inference of Butler-Volmer standard electrochemical rate constants for the peak-to-peak potential separation in a cyclic voltammogram as a function of voltage scan rate. The method is applied to the case of the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple in [C2mim][N(Tf)2] and [C4mim][N(Tf)2].

Phenazine virulence factor binding to extracellular DNA is important for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics necessitates the identification of novel leads for infection control. Interference with extracellular phenomena, such as quorum sensing, extracellular DNA integrity and redox active metabolite release, represents a new frontier to control human pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and hence reduce mortality. Here we reveal that the extracellular redox active virulence factor pyocyanin produced by P. aeruginosa binds directly to the deoxyribose-phosphate backbone of DNA and intercalates with DNA nitrogenous base pair regions. Binding results in local perturbations of the DNA double helix structure and enhanced electron transfer along the nucleic acid polymer. Pyocyanin binding to DNA also increases DNA solution viscosity. In contrast, antioxidants interacting with DNA and pyocyanin decrease DNA solution viscosity. Biofilms deficient in pyocyanin production and biofilms lacking extracellular DNA show similar architecture indicating the interaction is important in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation.

The hydrogen evolution reaction in a room temperature ionic liquid: mechanism and electrocatalyst trends

The kinetics and mechanism of the proton reduction reaction in the room temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C(2)mim][NTf(2)]) was studied at gold, molybdenum, nickel, titanium and platinum electrodes. Significant differences in electrochemical rate constants were observed between the different metals and with the corresponding processes in aqueous solution. The hydrogen evolution mechanism was consistent at all five metals in the ionic liquid, in stark contrast to the known behaviour in aqueous systems.

Investigation of the optimal transient times for chronoamperometric analysis of diffusion coefficients and concentrations in non-aqueous solvents and ionic liquids

We report the optimal transient times for chronoamperometric experiments in order to simultaneously determine accurate values of concentration (c) and diffusion coefficient (D), or alternatively the number of electrons passed (n) providing c is known. This is achieved by the analysis of the current-time transients resulting from potential steps for the oxidation of ferrocene in acetonitrile and the reduction of cobaltocenium in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide. The analysis is based upon Shoup and Szabo approximation, which has been reported to describe the current response over all time values to within an error of 0.5% [D. Shoup and A. Szabo, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 1982, 140, 237-245]. The error is quantified through comparing the resulting chronoamperometric data with simulation at all transient times. In addition, an alternative simple approach to the simultaneous determination of nc and D values is proposed by independently investigating the short and long time regimes of chronoamperometric transients. The chronoamperometry of hydrazine is investigated as a multielectron example process.

Preparation of AgX (X = Cl, I) nanoparticles using ionic liquids

Nanoparticles of silver halides have been prepared by mixing silver halide powder with a single liquid phase consisting of an ionic liquid, isooctane, n-decanol and water. Much higher nanoparticle concentrations may be formed with ionic liquids using this new simple method than are found with conventionally applied surfactants. This method also emphasizes the applicability of ionic liquids as versatile components in microemulsions and as solvents for the synthesis of nanomaterials. The effect on the nanoparticles of changing the composition of the liquid mixtures and the nature of the ionic liquid is analysed. High nanoparticle concentrations were only found with chloride based ionic liquids, indicating the importance of the ionic liquid anion in the mechanism of the reaction.

The formal potentials and electrode kinetics of the proton/hydrogen couple in various room temperature ionic liquids

The Hydrogen evolution reaction has been quantitatively investigated at a Pt electrode in series of room temperature ionic liquids vs. Ag/Ag(+) redox couple. The measured formal potentials of the H(2)/H(+) (HNTf(2)) redox couple in each RTIL reveals a dependence on the nature of anion, suggesting significant interaction between proton and anion.