Preface

Ionic liquids (ILs) have received considerable attention in recent years as potential alternative solvents. The non-volatile nature and the high thermal and chemical stability of these solvents facilitate their use as solvent media for high-temperature chemical reactions. Using judicious combinations of cations and anions, their physico-chemical properties and their solubilizing character can be fine-tuned, in turn modifying the miscibility of the IL with water and organic solvents. ILs have been used as adsorbents in gas separation membranes, as stationary phases in gas-liquid chromatography, as entrainers in extractive azeotropic distillations, and as solvents in micro-extraction devices. In the field of heat absorption transformers, {H2O + ILs} working fluids have been shown to be successful as replacements for the conventional system {H2O + LiBr}. Numerous ILs have been proposed as absorbents for absorption cycles. They have also been found efficient for biomass pretreatment, the production of bioethanol, and the extraction of high value-added compounds from biomass.

This book includes contributions from experts in different domains. The first section, "Applications of Ionic Liquids in Batteries," begins with a chapter on the various properties of IL-based electrolytes and their application in rechargeable lithium batteries. The next chapter discusses the synthesis and characterization of new dicationic ILs, which are efficient in energy devices such as fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells. The final chapter in this section presents a comprehensive guide for the design, synthesis, and computational aspects of ILs in rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

The second section, "Specific Ionic Liquids for Industrial Applications'' is devoted to the use of specific ILs in industrial applications. The first chapter in this section discusses the catalytic importance and the plausible organic reaction mechanisms of novel mono, di, and trimeric imidazolium and pyridinium salts as a catalyst in aldol condensation, Biginelli reaction, Erlenmeyer reaction, Mannich reaction, and Pechmann reaction. The second chapter proposes the use of paramagnetic ILs in magnetic resonance imaging techniques. These paramagnetic ILs have shown superior features over other existing and reported contrast agents such as better dual-mode contrast properties, a biofriendly nature, the involvement of a non-toxic magnetic center (Fe), stable aqueous solutions, a better image intensity at low concentration level, and easier syntheses. The third chapter evaluates the compatibility of filter materials used with ILs. The last chapter presents the development of low-friction ion gels for industrial applications.

> **Fabrice Mutelet** University of Lorraine, Nancy, France

Section 1

Applications of Ionic

Liquids in Batteries

**1**

Section 1
