Ionic Liquids A versatile and extending STEM Project David Vines, Sutton Grammar

What Ionic Liquids can we make ? Methyl Imidazolium Based Choline Chloride/Urea

Why study/research Ionic Liquids ? Apply many different branches of chemistry to the same project eg. Organic, Physical, Inorganic, spectroscopy/analytical. Extends pupils understanding – more synoptic Gives taster of what a research or industrial career might be like Opportunities to attend scientific meetings Shows how chemistry may be applied to society (“Green Chemistry – Industrial synthesis)

Solvents Bio-catalysis Organic reaction & catalysis Nano-particle synthesis Polymerisation Electrolytes Fuel cells Sensor Batteries Separation Gas separation Extractive distillation Extraction membranes Heat storage Thermal fluids Liquid crystal Displays IONIC LIQUIDS Analytics GC-head space solvent Protein crystallisation Lubricant and additives Lubricants Fuel additives Electroelastic materials Artificial muscles Robotics

What do I need to Make these ? Syntheses are facile, yet permit a great range of related compounds to be synthesised (Two Step reflux/”One pot”)

What can I do with them ? MP Analysis Low temperature behaviour (Dry ice/acetone bath to approx -60◦C) – phase changes Effects of altering composition

Viscosity measurements (ball bearings/inclined tile) Electrical Conductivity Solvents for unusual substances eg metal oxides (process cleaning) , cellulose (recycling). Graphite nanotubes reported to be produced by electrolysis with graphite electrodes

Collaborative Opportunities Your physics department – conductivity meter/viscosity measurement Biology Department - Enzymes Local University Departments (Advanced Spectroscopy/physical characterisation) Industrial Collaboration

Student Participation In our first year we were “low key “ – 6 students who had to apply by letter We are now in our 2nd year and a Hub School for IRIS comprising: SGS, St Philomenas, Sutton High, Greenshaw We now have approx ~25 students Recruited by initial presentations by R. Palgrave (UCL Chemistry Department) and DV