Synthesis of Recyclable Magnetic Cellulose Nanofibers from Ionic Liquids for Practical Applications in Separation Science.

The present study focused on coupling cellulose nanofibers (alternative materials for plastics and metals) with a magnetic ionic liquid (synthesized by a microwave-assisted method) through mixing to yield magnetic cellulose nanofibers (MCNFs) that can be recycled by attracting them to a magnet. Accordingly, two types of ionic liquids were synthesized: (a) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate(III) {[bmim] FeCl4} and (b) 1-glycidyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[glmi]FeCl4}, which were characterized by the fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) technique. Impregnation of the cellulose nanofibers with the {[bmim]FeCl4} ionic liquid caused the latter to be physically adsorbed onto the nanofibers to produce {MCNF@{[bmim]FeCl4}, whereas the corresponding {[glmi]FeCl4} ionic liquid was chemically bonded to the cellulose nanofibers to yield magnetic {MCNF@[glmi]FeCl4} nanofibers. Under the experimental conditions used, the corresponding magnetic moments were 0.222 A m2 kg-1 for {MCNF@ {[bmim]FeCl4} and 0.095 A m2 kg-1 for {MCNF@[glmi]FeCl4}.

Extraction and Isolation of Natural Organic Compounds from Plant Leaves Using Ionic Liquids.

Plants contain many kinds of natural organic compounds, and their compounds possess many useful properties. Natural organic compounds are important for the development of medicines, pesticides, fragrances, cosmetics, and synthetic chemicals. In this chapter, we introduce efficient methods for extraction and isolation of valuable natural organic compounds from various plant leaves by using cellulose-dissolving ionic liquids. High-polarity ionic liquids, which can dissolve cellulose, contribute to the extraction of natural organic compounds from plant leaves probably by breaking down plant cell walls, which are composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Extraction and isolation of shikimic acid from ginkgo leaves, caffeoylquinic acids from sweet potato leaves, and neral and geranial (which combine to form citral) from lemon myrtle leaves were performed. Ionic liquids can achieve extraction rates greater than those achieved with water and other organic solvents. Graphical Abstract.

Solid-State Lithium Conductors for Lithium Metal Batteries Based on Electrospun Nanofiber/Plastic Crystal Composites.

Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are a class of solid-state electrolytes with good thermal stability, non-flammability, non-volatility, and good electrochemical stability. When prepared in a composite with electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) nanofibers, a 1:1 mixture of the OIPC N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([C2 mpyr][FSI]) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) produced a free-standing, robust solid-state electrolyte. These high-concentration Li-containing electrolyte membranes had a transference number of 0.37(±0.02) and supported stable lithium symmetric-cell cycling at a current density of 0.13 mA cm-2 . The effect of incorporating PVdF in the Li-containing plastic crystal was investigated for different ratios of PVdF and [Li][FSI]/[C2 mpyr][FSI]. In addition, Li|LiNi1/3 Co1/3 Mn1/3 O2 cells were prepared and cycled at ambient temperature and displayed a good rate performance and stability.

Extraction and isolation of shikimic acid from Ginkgo biloba leaves utilizing an ionic liquid that dissolves cellulose.

Shikimic acid, the starting material in the commercial synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®), was efficiently extracted and isolated from Ginkgo biloba leaves utilizing the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim]Cl), which dissolves cellulose.