Highly efficient and reversible CO2 capture by tunable anion‐functionalized macro‐porous resins

Anion functionalized strategy has been proposed for the synthesis of macro‐porous resins [IRA‐900][An] through the neutral reaction of the basic resin [IRA‐900][OH] with the corresponding donors. Combining CO₂ adsorption results and FT‐IR, solid‐state ¹³C NMR characterization as well as quantum chemical calculations, chemical adsorption mechanism was verified and tunable capture of CO₂ was realized. Among them, the anion functionalized resin [IRA‐900][Triz] exhibits an extremely high adsorption capacity (4.02 mmol g^?1 at 25°C, 0.15 bar), outperforming many other good adsorbents. Finally, we discuss the thermostability and recycling stability of [IRA‐900][Triz], which shows a great potential in the industrial capture of CO₂. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3008–3015, 2017     

Near‐infrared‐active and pH‐responsive fluorescent polymer‐integrated hybrid graphene oxide nanoparticles for the detection and treatment of cancer

Hybrid nanoparticles for theragnosis have great potentiality to bring desire functionalities in one integrated system. The development of bioimaging guided photothermal therapy (PTT) is pivotal in optimizing cytotoxic cancer therapy. We report near‐infrared (NIR)‐active and pH‐responsive fluorescent, catechol‐conjugated, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐anchored hybrid nanoparticles that can sharply increase the photothermal heat in response to NIR exposure and exhibit pH‐dependent fluorescence emission for the detection of tumor areas without causing cell toxicity. The optoelectronic absorption property of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) [PEDOT]:dopamine‐conjugated poly(4‐styrenesulfonate‐co‐maleic acid) [D‐PSM] and 3′,4′‐dihydroxyacetophenone/boron‐dipyrromethene [CCDP/BODIPY]‐quaternized polyethylene glycol grafted poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (C/B‐PgP) present in this hybrid nanoparticles resulted in efficient photothermal conversion with pH‐tunable fluorescence that exerted sufficient photothermal cytotoxicity to cancer cells. The in vitro cellular uptake was measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy, allowing the therapeutic efficiency and bioimaging effects to be explored. We expect that the broad optical absorption property of PEDOT:D‐PSM with BODIPY‐conjugated polymers on rGO sheets would get tremendous attraction in this enormous rising PTT with cancer detectable biomarker. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43791.     

Recovery of rare earth elements from simulated fluorescent powder using bifunctional ionic liquid extractants (Bif‐ILEs)

BACKGROUND: Numerous high purity ammonium‐type ionic liquid extractants have been prepared for engineering purposes. Bifunctional ionic liquid extractants (Bif‐ILEs) have been widely applied to separate and extract rare earths and metal ions with high extraction efficiencies and selectivities. In the present study, new Bif‐ILEs [A336][P204] and [A336][P507] have been used to extract rare earths from a simulated solution of a fluorescent powder in a high concentration of Al(NO₃)₃. RESULTS: Bif‐ILEs were prepared from Aliquat336 (A336) and the commercial organophosphorus acid extractants, P204 and P507. These extractants [A336][P204] and [A336][P507] have similar characteristics to neutral organophosphorus extractants. When these Bif‐ILEs were used to extract RE(III) from a simulated waste fluorescent powder system a third phase appeared which could be eliminated by the addition of 10% isopropanol modifier. The coexisting Al₂O₃ in the fluorescent powder was changed to a salting‐out agent (Al(NO₃)₃) in the extraction process and promoted the extraction efficiency of RE(III). Using a countercurrent extraction process at a phase ratio V_o:V_w = 4:1 and pH = 0.56, the RE(III) recovery reached 95.2% in 5–7 stages. Finally, the extractabilities of these bifunctional extractants were compared with the neutral organophosphorus extractants P350, TBP and Cyanex923 at different concentrations, initial pHs and temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: By comparison with other neutral organophosphorus extractants, Bif‐ILEs [A336][P204] and [A336][P507] can be considered efficient potential extractants for separating and recycling REEs and Al₂O₃ from waste fluorescent powder. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Deep oxidative–extractive desulfurization of fuels using benzyl‐based ionic liquid

Four benzyl‐based ionic liquids (ILs) were synthetized and used for deep desulfurization of model oil and real diesel fuel. The removal efficiencies of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) with [Bzmim][NTf₂] and [Bzmim][SCN] as extractants are higher than that with [Bzmp][NTf₂] and [Bzmp][SCN] as extractants. The desulfurization capability follows the Nernst's Law. A reactive extraction mathematical model for desulfurization was established. An oxidative‐extractive two‐step deep desulfurization method was developed. DBT was first oxidized by H₂O₂ with CH₃COOH as catalyst and then the unoxidized DBT and uncrystallized dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (DBTO₂) in model oil were extracted by [Bzmim][NTf₂], and finally the removal efficiency was 98.4% after one‐stage extraction. Besides, the removal efficiency of 4,6‐DMDBT was 96.4% after oxidation and one‐stage extraction processes. Moreover, the oxidative‐extractive two‐step deep desulfurization method was also effective for desulfurization of diesel fuel. The removal efficiency of sulfur reached up to 96% after oxidation and three‐stage cross‐current extraction processes. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4023–4034, 2016     

Promoted adsorption of CO2 on amine‐impregnated adsorbents by functionalized ionic liquids

Amine‐impregnated adsorbents are promising alternatives to aqueous amines for CO₂ capture. However, the diffusion‐controlled CO₂ adsorption process is a significant issue associated with them, resulting in the insufficient utilization of amine groups. Herein, we propose the use of functionalized ionic liquids 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][Ac]) with chemical reactivity to CO₂ and low viscosity as the additive to amine‐impregnated adsorbents. The key is that [emim][Ac] does not show drastic increase in viscosity after reacting with CO₂. Taking the polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐impregnated SBA‐15 as a model system, it is found that the CO₂ capacities of PEI/SBA‐15 composites are improved by 86%, and the active site efficiencies are improved by 270%, after the addition of [emim][Ac]. The addition of [emim][Ac] to PEI/SBA‐15 composites also helps improve the CO₂ adsorption rate and recycling stability of composites. Therefore, [emim][Ac] offers the opportunity to fabricate amine‐impregnated adsorbents with simultaneously improved CO₂ capacities, adsorption kinetics, and recycling stability. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3671–3680, 2018     

Synthesis,Thermal Stability and Impact Stability of Novel Tetranitro‐Dipyridotetraazapentalene Derivatives

The synthetic details for the construction of three new dipyridotetraazapentalene derivatives, 5H‐pyrido[3″,4″:4′,5′] [1,2,3]triazolo‐ [1′,2′:1,2][1,2,3]triazolo[5,4‐b]pyridin‐6‐ium inner salt ( 8 ), 5H‐pyrido[3″,2″:4′,5′] [1,2,3]triazolo[1′,2′:1,2] [1,2,3]triazolo[5,4‐b]‐pyridin‐6‐ium inner salt ( 15 ) and 5H‐pyrido[2″,3″:4′,5′] [1,2,3]‐triazolo[1′,2′:1,2][1,2,3]triazolo[4,5‐b]pyridin‐6‐ium inner salt ( 16 ) are presented. Nitration of ( 8 ) and ( 15 ) afforded the novel tetranitrodipyridotetraazapentalene derivatives, 2,4,8,10‐tetranitro‐5H‐pyrido[3″,4″:4′,5′][1,2,3]triazolo[1′,2′:1,2][1,2,3]‐triazolo[5,4‐b]‐pyridin‐6‐ium inner salt ( 3 ) and 2,4,8,10‐tetranitro‐5H‐pyrido[3″,2″:4′,5′][1,2,3]triazolo[1′,2′:1,2][1,2,3]‐triazolo[5,4‐b]‐pyridin‐6‐ium inner salt ( 4 ) in good yields. Both isomers, ( 3 ) and ( 4 ), exhibited high thermal stability (differential scanning calorimetric analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis) and were insensitive to impact (hammer/anvil test).     

Synthesis of water‐insoluble functional copolymers containing amide,amine, and carboxylic acid groups and their metal‐ion‐uptake properties

The crosslinked poly[N‐(3‐dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide] [P(NDAPA)] and poly[N‐(3‐dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid] [P(NDAPA‐co‐AA)] were synthesized by radical polymerization. The resins were completely insoluble in water. The metal‐ion‐uptake properties were studied by a batch equilibrium procedure for the following metal ions: silver(I), copper(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II), lead(II), mercury(II), chromium(III), and aluminum(III). The P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) resin showed a lower metal‐ion affinity than P(NDAPA), except for Hg(II), which was retained at 71% at pH 2. At pH 5, the resin showed a higher affinity for Pb(II) (80%) and Cu(II) (60%), but its affinity was very low for Zn(II) and Cr(III). The polymer ligand–metal‐ion equilibrium was achieved during the first 20 min. By changing the pH, we found it possible to remove between 60 and 70% of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions with (1M, 4M) HClO₄ and (1M, 4M) HNO₃. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:5232–5239, 2006     

A One‐Pot Synthesis of [1,2,4]Triazino[4,3‐b]‐[1,2,4,5]tetrazines

Reactions of hydrazonoyl halides 6 with either 4‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐6‐substituted‐3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazin‐5(4H)ones 1 ( 2 ) or 4‐amino‐3‐methylthio‐6‐substituted‐[1,2,4]‐triazin‐5(4H)ones 3 ( 4 ) gave [1,2,4]‐triazino‐[4,3‐b][1,2,4,5]tetrazine derivatives 9 ( 10 ), respectively. The mechanism of the reactions studied is discussed.     

Synthesis of new crosslinked porous ammonium‐based poly(ionic liquid) and application in CO2 adsorption

A new poly(ionic liquid) of N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA)‐crosslinked‐poly(4‐vinylbenzyltriethylammonium hexafluorophosphate)(MBA‐crosslinked‐P[VBTEA][PF₆]) is prepared through the ion exchange of KPF₆ with the precursor of MBA‐crosslinked‐P[VBTEA][Cl]; the precursor is synthesized by 4‐vinylbenzyltriethylammonium chloride and MBA via inverse suspension polymerization. MBA‐crosslinked‐P[VBTEA][PF₆] is a thermally stable (decomposes at nearly 300°C) and porous (apparent porosity of 64.3% and specific surface of 39.12 m²/g) polymer particle with high purity, as indicated by Fourier transformed infrared, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, and porous analyses. It is observed that MBA‐crosslinked‐P[VBTEA][PF₆] has good CO₂ adsorption capability of 14.04 mg/g at 0.2 MPa and 25°C, and can be recovered by desorption at vacuum and 80°C, and reused with 99% CO₂ adsorption after four cycles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:59–63, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A facile preparation of pH‐temperature dual stimuli‐responsive supramolecular hydrogel and its controllable drug release

A series of pH‐temperature dual stimuli‐responsive random copolymers poly[N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate][poly(DMAEMA‐co‐MPEGMA)] were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The supramolecular hydrogel was formed by pseudopolyrotaxane, which was prepared with the host‐guest interactions between α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the structures of the hydrogels. The pH‐temperature dual stimuli responsive properties of the hydrogels were characterized by rheometer. Finally, the controllable drug release behavior of the hydrogel, which was used 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) as the model drug, was investigated at different temperatures and different pH values. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43279.     

Graphene oxide functionalized by poly(ionic liquid)s for carbon dioxide capture

Poly(ionic liquid)s have been demonstrated as high efficient CO₂ absorbents. In the current study, a kind of poly(ionic liquid)s, Poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)‐ethyl] trimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (P[MATMA][BF₄]) was used to functionalize graphene oxide (GO). The hybrid in which P[MATMA][BF₄] was covalently bonded on GO platelets was prepared by a simple method, that is, traditional radical polymerization. The characterizations based on transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the graft of P[MATMA][BF₄] on GO. N₂ adsorption measurements indicated that P[MATMA][BF₄] also greatly increased the specific surface area of GO. Due to the higher specific surface area and the CO₂ affinity of P[MATMA][BF₄], the GO‐P[MATMA][BF₄] hybrid exhibited a much higher CO₂ adsorption capacity compared with GO, GO‐NH₂, and P[MATMA][BF₄]. Their study showed that the combinations of poly(ionic liquid)s and GO could be promising CO₂ absorbents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44592.     

EXTRACTION MECHANISM OF Sc(III) AND SEPARATION FROM ThUV).Fe(III) AND Lu(III) WITH BIS(2,4,4-TRIMETHYLPENTYL)PHOS- PHINIC ACID IN N-HEXANE FROM SULPHURIC ACID SOLUTIONS

ABSTRACT

The extraction equilibrium data of sulphuric acid and scandium(III) with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpenty)phosphinic acid (H[BTMPP]) from sulphuric acid solutions have been obtained. There are two extraction mechanisms of scandium(III) with H[BTMFP] at different ranges of aqueous acidity. The extraction of Sc(III) proceeds according to a cation exchange reaction at lower aqueous acidity and to a solvating reaction at higher acidity. The practicability of separating Sc(III) from Th(IV),Fe(III) and Lu(II) by controlling the aqueous acidity was discussed. The effect of temperature on extraction of Sc(III) was observed and thermodynamic, functions were caculated. IR and NMR spectra were made for organic extracts. The extraction characteristics of H[BTMPP] and di(2-ethylbexyl)phosphinic acid (H[DEHP]) were contrasted to obtain more information about extraction with H[BTMPP].     

Molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres derived from pickering emulsions polymerization in determination of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in bottled water samples

The mono‐dispersed macroporous Molecularly Imprinted microspheres (MIPMs) selective for Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) were synthesized by Pickering emulsion polymerization. Silica nanoparticles were stabilizers in forming a stable oil‐in‐water emulsion, while the polymeric system was prepared by radical polymerization using methacrylic acid as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker. The results of scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption desorption measurement indicated that the obtained polymer microspheres had regularly porous structure and narrowly diameter distribution (100 nm), besides the specific surface area (S_BET) was 452 m² g^?1, pore volume was 9.685 cm³ g^?1, and pore diameter was 5.089 nm. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of MIPs was 1.75 mg g^?1 at 298 K. Good selectivity for DEHP in another two kinds of analogies (DBP and DAP) was demonstrated with high selectivity coefficients, respectively 17.753 and 19.450. In the end, DEHP‐MIP was used as packing of solid‐phase extraction to form an sensitive analytical method in extraction and enrichment DEHP in bottled water samples with the limits of detection of 1.7–2.5 μg L^?1.The recoveries at three spiking level (0.05, 0.1, and 1 mg L^?1) were varied between at 97.5 and 103.1% with RSD values below 3.5. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43484.     

Synthesis,characterization and polychelatogenic properties of poly[(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid)‐co‐(methacrylic acid)]

Poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), and five copolymers of poly[(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)‐co‐(methacrylic acid)] were synthesized by radical polymerization and obtained in yields >97%. The polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, [¹H]NMR, and [¹³C]NMR and studied by means of the Liquid‐phase Polymer‐based Retention (LPR) technique. The metal ion retention ability of the copolymers for Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cr(III) and Ag(I) was investigated at different pH values because of their environmental and analytical interest. The retention profiles of the copolymers were compared with those of the corresponding homopolymers and retention of metal ions was found to increase with increasing pH. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potent and Selective Non‐hydroxamate Histone Deacetylase 8 Inhibitors

Specific inhibition of histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) has been suggested as a promising option for the treatment of neuroblastoma and T‐cell malignancies. A novel class of highly potent and selective HDAC8 inhibitors with a pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imine scaffold was studied that is completely different from the traditional concept of HDAC inhibitors comprising a zinc binding group (ZBG), in most cases a hydroxamate group, a spacer, and a capping group that may interact with the surface of the target protein. Although lacking a ZBG, some of the new compounds were shown to have outstanding potency against HDAC8 in the single‐digit nanomolar range. The pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imines also inhibited the growth of solid and hematological tumor cells. The small size and beneficial physicochemical properties of the novel HDAC inhibitor class underline the high degree of drug likeness. This and the broad structure–activity relationship suggest great potential for the further development of compounds with the pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imine scaffold into innovative and highly effective therapeutic drugs against cancer.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic device studies of azo‐linked low‐bandgap polymers

We report the synthesis of a series of new polymers containing azo linkage as a part of the main chain. The monomer 1,2‐bis(7‐bromo‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene was synthesized using a precursor approach which avoids non‐selective bromination and was copolymerized with various donor or acceptor units. The homopolymer poly[1,2‐bis(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P1 ) as well as the copolymers poly[1‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9,9′,9′‐tetraoctyl‐9H ,9′H ‐[2,2′‐bifluoren]‐7‐yl)diazene] ( P2 ), poly[1‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐7‐(4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P3 ) and poly[4‐(7‐((9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)benzo[c ][1,2,5]thiadiazole] ( P4 ) were synthesized by Suzuki polymerization. The copolymers poly[1‐(7‐(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H ‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b :5,4‐b ′]dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P5 ) and poly[4‐(5‐(7‐((9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐7‐(4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c ][1,2,5]thiadiazole] ( P6 ) were synthesized by direct arylation polymerization reaction. Polymers synthesized using the direct arylation method show good molecular weight, with absorption maxima in the range 500 to 532 nm. P5 and P6 possess low optical bandgaps of 1.81 and 1.86 eV, respectively. A power conversion efficiency of 0.53% with open circuit voltage of 0.53 V, short circuit current density of 3.1 mA cm^?2 and fill factor of 29% has been achieved with C71‐PCBM as acceptor in bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated with P5 as donor. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of ionic liquids on the structural,thermal, and in vitro degradation properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone) synthesized in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B

The study provides detailed information on the differences in the structural, thermal and degradation properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone) synthesized in two different ionic liquids, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF₆] and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [bmim][NTf₂], regarding its further usage in the pharmaceutical field. The polymer structure confirms the presence of both linear polymer chains with end‐functional hydroxyl groups allowing covalent coupling of the therapeutic agents, and cyclic macromolecules, both affecting the degree of crystallinity of polymer. The highest macrocyclic content (64%) after 7 days of polymerization at 80 °C was observed for [bmim][NTf₂]. For [bmim][PF₆], the macrocyclic content value was not dependent on the reaction time and remained at a similar level (10–14% at 80 °C). The results of degradation test revealed that hydrolytic degradation of ester bonds is more pronounced for PCLs synthesized in [bmim][NTf₂], due to their lower degree of crystallinity compared with PCLs obtained in [bmim][PF₆]. A high purity, low polydispersity index of the obtained polymers and high yield of the process (ca., 90%) indicate that ionic liquids seem to be promising solvents for the synthesis of biomedical polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43728.     

Highly efficient adsorbent for organic dyes based on a temperature‐ and pH‐responsive multiblock polymer

The self‐assembly behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers in selective solutions has many applications in environmentally responsive polymer materials. In this article, we report on a new amphiphilic, temperature and pH dual‐responsive poly[2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)]‐b‐poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] [P(DMAEMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐PPEGMA], which was synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization. The structure, self‐assembly behaviors, and process of organic dye adsorption were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectroscopy, and DLS measurements. P(DMAEMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐PPEGMA was proven to be an outstanding adsorbent with excellent reversibility. Methyl red was released from the micelles as the pH value of the solution was adjusted to 4, and it could also be encapsulated again when the pH value was adjusted to 7.4 because of the sensitive pH‐responsive ability. It is promising that the triblock polymer had a positive effect on dye adsorption for environmental protection. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46626.     

Solubilities of small hydrocarbons,viscosities of diluted tetraalkylphosphonium bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl) phosphinates

Tetraalkylphosphonium bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinates show large solubilities for methane, ethane, ethylene, and propane. In these ionic liquids, solubilities of ethane are larger than those of ethylene. Therefore, these ionic liquids may be useful solvents for separation of ethane and ethylene; because the vapor pressure of ethylene is higher than that of ethane, the relative volatility ethylene/ethane is enhanced. However, the viscosities of these ionic liquids are too high for an industrial process. Low‐viscosity 1‐butyl‐3‐H‐imidazolium acetate([BHMIM][AC]) is a suitable diluent for reducing the large viscosities of trihexyl tetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl) phosphinate ([P(14)666][TMPP]) and tetrabutylphosphonium bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl) phosphinate ([P4444][TMPP]). Addition of 20 wt % [BHMIM][AC] gives a dramatic drop in the viscosities of these ionic liquids. Mixtures of [P(14)666][TMPP] or [P4444][TMPP] with 20 or 50 wt % [BHMIM][AC] show high solubilities for the four solutes when compared with those in other ionic liquids. In these mixtures, the solubility for ethane is higher than that for ethylene. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2607–2612, 2014     

Surface DEAE groups facilitate protein transport on polymer chains in DEAE‐modified‐and‐DEAE‐dextran‐grafted resins

Sepharose FF was modified with diethylaminoethyl‐dextran (DEAE‐dextran, DexD) and/or DEAE (D) to fabricate three types of ion exchangers FF‐DexD (grafting‐ligand resin), FF‐D (surface‐ligand resin), and FF‐D‐DexD (mixed‐ligand resin), for protein adsorption equilibria and kinetics study. It was found that both adsorption capacity and uptake rate (effective diffusivity, D_e) were significantly enhanced by grafting DEAE‐dextran. Notably, the D_e values on FF‐DexD and FF‐D‐DexD (D_e/D₀ > 1.4) were six times greater than those on FF‐D (D_e/D₀ < 0.3). More importantly, the increase of surface‐ligand density greatly enhanced uptake kinetics on FF‐D‐DexD. The results indicate that the surface ligands assisted the transport of bound proteins on polymer chains in the mixed‐ligand resins. That is, surface ligands worked as “transfer stations” between two neighboring chains, resulting in enhanced transport of bound proteins on chains. The research thus disclosed the unique role of surface ligands in facilitating protein uptake kinetics onto polymer‐grafted ion‐exchangers. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3812–3819, 2016