A series of long-chain 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts ([C n -mim]X, n ) 12-18) containing the anions, chloride, bromide, trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf), and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFI), have been synthesized and characterized. The salts have amphiphilic characteristics, and the thermotropic phase behavior of these salts and the analogous tetrafluoroborate salt has been investigated by variable temperature small-angle X-ray scattering, polarizing optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The salts form lamellar, sheetlike arrays in the crystalline phase and an enantiomeric smectic liquid crystalline phase at higher temperatures, except for the salts containing the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion which melt directly to form isotropic liquids. The nature of the anion influences the size of the interlayer spacing in both the crystal and in the mesophase. The interlayer spacing in the mesophase is largest for the anions with the greatest ability to form a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding lattice, following the order [TFI] -< [OTf] -< [BF 4 ] -< Br -< Cl -.

BaCe 1 − x Y x O 3 − δ (BCY) and BaCe 0.8 − y Zr y Y 0.2 O 3 − δ (BCZY) perovskite mixed metal oxides were synthesised by an aqueous sol-gel technique to be investigated for their suitability in intermediate-temperature catalytic applications such as Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis. The hydration capacity and the stability under CO 2 environments of the samples were studied using thermogravimetric analysis. Based on the evaluation of these properties, BaCe 0.6 Zr 0.2 Y 0.2 O 3 − δ (BCZ20Y20) was selected as the membrane support for wireless Electrochemical Promotion for CO oxidation on Pt. In a dual-chamber reactor, the use of H 2 /H 2 O flow in the sweep side induced promoting species supply to the catalyst in the reaction side of the reactor. Moderate promotion of the catalytic rate up to 10% was observed for temperatures up to 650°C, while this promotional effect was reversible and repeatable. The encouraging preliminary catalytic experiments together with the membrane's stability under the applied conditions reinforce the candidacy of BCZY membranes for intermediate-temperature applications in catalytic membrane reactors.

YBaCo4O7+δ has been reported to have a large oxygen capacity which can be accessed on practical timescales by both temperature and pressure swings below 400 °C. One potential use of this oxygen capacity is for oxygen enrichment of process gas streams for e.g. application in oxy-fuel combustion and auto-thermal reforming. In this work, YBaCo4O7+δ powders were produced by a solid state synthesis and their material properties studied with a view to use as a process stream oxygen enricher. The stability of the material as a function of temperature in both CO2 and reducing gases (CO and H2) was investigated. The kinetics of oxygen uptake and release was studied by following the response to swings in oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and temperature. To demonstrate the potential for employing this reversible oxygen capacity, the material was successfully used to supply oxygen into a gas stream with a pO2 of 0.31 bar after oxidation in an air stream (pO2 = 0.21 bar).