Determination of the Enthalpy of Vaporization and Prediction of Surface Tension for Ionic Liquid 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Propionate [Cnmim][Pro](n = 4, 5, 6)

A New Compartmentalized Scale (PN) for Measuring Polarity Applied to Novel Ether-Functionalized Amino Acid Ionic Liquids

Functionalized and environmentally friendly ionic liquids are required in many fields, but convenient methods for measuring their polarity are lacking. Two novel ether-functionalized amino acid ionic liquids, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium alanine ([C₁OC₂mim][Ala]) and 1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium alanine ([C₂OC₂mim][Ala]), were synthesized by a neutralization method and their structures confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. Density, surface tension, and refractive index were determined using the standard addition method. The strength of intermolecular interactions within these ionic liquids was examined in terms of standard entropy, lattice energy, and association enthalpy. A new polarity scale, P_N, is now proposed, which divides polarity into two compartments: the surface and the body of the liquid. Surface tension is predicted via an improved Lorentz-Lorenz equation, and molar surface entropy is used to determine the polarity of the surface. This new P_N scale is based on easily measured physicochemical parameters, is validated against alternative polarity scales, and is applicable to both ionic and molecular liquids.

Physicochemical properties of [Cnmim][TFA] (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) ionic liquids

A series of ionic liquids based on trifluoroacetic acid, namely, [C_nmim][TFA] (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate), were designed and synthesized.

Tuning near-gap electronic structure, interface charge transfer and visible light response of hybrid doped graphene and Ag3PO4 composite: Dopant effects

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of doped graphene (GR)/semiconductor nanocomposites have recently been widely observed, but an understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind it is still out of reach. As a model system to study the dopant effects, we investigate the electronic structures and optical properties of doped GR/Ag₃PO₄ nanocomposites using the first-principles calculations, demonstrating that the band gap, near-gap electronic structure and interface charge transfer of the doped GR/Ag₃PO₄(100) composite can be tuned by the dopants. Interestingly, the doping atom and C atoms bonded to dopant become active sites for photocatalysis because they are positively or negatively charged due to the charge redistribution caused by interaction. The dopants can enhance the visible light absorption and photoinduced electron transfer. We propose that the N atom may be one of the most appropriate dopants for the GR/Ag₃PO₄ photocatalyst. This work can rationalize the available experimental results about N-doped GR-semiconductor composites, and enriches our understanding on the dopant effects in the doped GR-based composites for developing high-performance photocatalysts.