Synthesis And Electrolyte Characterization Of 1-Benzyl-3-Butylimidazolium Hydroxide Ionic Liquid

A hydrophilic alkaline room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte (RT-IL) carrying hydroxide ion as an anion and 1-benzyl-3-butylimidazolium as a cation was synthesized. Electrochemical, physical and structural properties of the synthesized RT-IL were characterized using cyclic voltammetry, ionic conductivity, viscosity, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR, and H-1-NMR measurements. High ionic conductivity and low viscosity characteristics comparable to 0.1 M KCl electrolyte solution were achieved for the RT-IL in addition to a wide electrochemical potential window of about 4.4 V. The results indicate that the RT-IL is promising for future applications as an alternative electrolyte to energy and environmental research fields.