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Enabling industrial deployment of deep eutectic solvents through manufacturing tools

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description In this project, we explored the role of a new type of green, no-toxic and biodegradable type of solvents, deep eutectic solvents, in a range of applications, namely as solvents in organic transformations and also for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and nanostructured materials.
This project is part of a small consortium where our role is the development of flow reactors to enable the deployment of the abovementioned systems. One of the main challenges is the high viscosity associated to these green solvents, which we have overcome by their mixing with water in particular ratios so the structure of the solvent is not modified.

As part of the project, we have demonstrated:
- The synthesis of nanostructured ceria in deep eutectic solvents using a flow reactor, able to cope with the high viscosities of the medium and also able to achieve long residence times (~ 20 min)
- The deployment of flow reactors for organometallic reactions using air sensitive organo-lithium catalysts. By combining the different expertise brought by the consortium, we have demonstrated for the first time these reactions in flow, opening the door to a range of opportunities, specially in the pharmaceutical industry.
Exploitation Route Prof Eva Hevia (co-I) in the grant has had conversations with a number of pharmaceutical and chemical companies (such as Johnson&Johnson) for their adaptation of the research findings. At the moment, organo-metallic reactions can only be carried out safely at very low temperatures but we have demonstrated the safe and stable performance in this new type of solvents.
Sectors Chemicals

Energy

Environment

Healthcare

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

 
Description Policy briefing - Green Carbon for the Chemical Industry by Royal Society
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Title Data set for "Surfactant Effects on the Synthesis of Porous Cerium Oxide from a Type IV Deep Eutectic Solvent" 
Description This dataset relates to a novel, low temperature and green method for atom-efficient solvothermal synthesis of crystalline, micelle templated cerium IV oxide (ceria) from a type IV deep eutectic solvent (DES) comprising a hydrated cerium containing metal salt, cerium(iii) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O), and a hydrogen bond donor, urea, in a molar ratio of 1:3.5. We have used high concentration (20% w/w) solutions of C-12 and C-16 alkyl chain length cationic surfactants (C?TAB and C?TANO3) and C-16 alkyl chain length non-ionic surfactant BrijC10 in the DES to alter the porosity of the cerium oxide produced. The characterisation of the cerium oxide has been carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), N2 sorption, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) to understand and quantify the nature of the crystallinity, morphology and porosity along with CO oxidation for the catalytic activity of the material. Included in the dataset are the X-ray diffraction (XRD), SAXS, N2 sorption, SEM Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and CO oxidation characterization data for these materials. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://researchdata.bath.ac.uk/id/eprint/1190
 
Title Research data supporting: Continuous, stable and safe organometallic reactions inflow at room temperature assisted by deep eutectic solvents 
Description The video data is related to the publication entitled "Continuous, stable and safe organometallic reactions in flow at room temperature assisted by deep eutectic solvents". The supporting media contains: * Hydrodynamic studies using segmented flow between the DES or DES/aqueous phase and the organic phase containing the substrate. For further information please refer to the publication and the video. * NMR data 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The video data is related to the publication entitled "Continuous, stable and safe organometallic reactions in flow at room temperature assisted by deep eutectic solvents". The supporting media contains: * Hydrodynamic studies using segmented flow between the DES or DES/aqueous phase and the organic phase containing the substrate. For further information please refer to the publication and the video. * NMR data 
URL https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/334274
 
Description Eva Hevia 
Organisation University of Bern
Country Switzerland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration project together. They are developing new chemistries using deep eutectic solvents which we are translating into continuous flow systems for their adaptation in industry.
Collaborator Contribution They are exploring the use of deep eutectic solvents in organic reactions using air-sensitive catalysts. Two members of Prof Hevia's group have been visiting Cambridge for different periods of time including Florian Mulks and Andrew Platten
Impact We have demonstrated for the first time the synthesis of organometallic reactions in flow at room temperature assisted by deep eutectic solvents in a stable and safe manner (Chem 8 (2022) 3382-3394, DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2022.11.004)
Start Year 2019
 
Description Karen Edler 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Developing flow systems for the synthesis of nanostructured materials using deep eutectic solvents
Collaborator Contribution Understanding the interaction and role of deep eutectic solvents with a range of inorganic materials
Impact This is a multidisciplinary collaboration and we are publishing joint papers
Start Year 2013
 
Description Arkwright Scholars Visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Presentation on the catalysis and nanoparticles research of our lab group to Year 12 students on scholarships to study Engineering
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Cambridge Festival - Art using Nanoparticles 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Demonstration of art designs using nanoparticles
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2024