Physical and electrochemical properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate

The density, viscosity, refractive index, heat capacity, heat of dilution, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim][Br]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ([bmim][I]), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bnum][BF4]) were measured at room temperature or over a temperature range of 293.2 to 323.2 K. The density and refractive index values of [bmim][I] appeared to be the highest among three ionic liquids (ILs). However, the experimental viscosity values of [bmim][Br] were higher than those of [bmim][BF4], while the heat capacities and heats of dilution of [bmim][BF4] were higher than those of [bmim][Br]. The cyclic voltammogram of [bmin][br] and [bmim][BF4] indicated electrochemical windows in the stability range from 2.7 V of [bmim][Br] to 4.7 V of [bmim][BF4].