"The biggest challenge is to be able to scale up production without losing yield or purity"

Ionic liquids (ILs) are versatile materials with a wide range of applications, but their successful integration into industrial processes requires careful selection and optimization. In the WASTE2H2 project, IOLITEC plays a key role in developing ILs that meet strict performance criteria, from thermal stability to polymer solubility. We spoke with Prof. Dr. Thomas Schubert (Managing Director & Founder of IOLITEC) and Dr. Boyan Iliev (Head of Custom Synthesis) to understand the challenges and strategies behind IL synthesis and scale-up.

1. What are the critical factors for the successful development of ionic liquids (ILs) in the WASTE2H2 project?

Ionic liquids are wonderful and versatile materials, but they are not a panacea for everything. In this case, the key was to find the right cation/anion combination that simultaneously fulfilled all the necessary criteria for the ILs - from high thermal stability to low viscosity and high polymer solubility.

2. Which synthetic approaches for ILs synthesis is IOLITEC currently employing to meet the unique requirements of the project? Are there any novel or adapted methods?

We mostly use standard production technology that we have mastered in our 20+ years of experience in this business. Where possible, we also use state-of-the-art microreactor flow technology. Due to the better surface to volume ratio in such systems, yields are better, purity higher and temperature and pressure control is easier. It also offers significant safety and environmental benefits as we only have a small volume of reactants in the flow cell, but can still produce up to 25 kg/day/line.

3. What do you see as the primary challenge in scaling up IL production for the WASTE2H2 project?

The biggest challenge is to be able to scale up production without losing yield or purity. The other trick is to achieve a purity that is high enough for the application while still keeping costs in check.

4. How does IOLITEC plan to address issues such as cost efficiency, purity, or environmental compliance during scale-up?

These are some of the properties we look for when selecting ILs for potential industrial applications – easy scalability, availability of starting materials and production costs. The latter can be significantly reduced if modern automated systems are used for production and drying. The scale-up of such processes is our daily business: So far, we have already scaled-up 10+ products to the industrial relevant scale. Since the price increases almost exponentially with purity, the purity only needs to be as high as the application requires and no more. This is what we have to find out hand in hand with our partners and potential customers in the future.

With over two decades of experience in IL production and scale-up, Prof. Dr. Schubert and Dr. Iliev highlight how IOLITEC is leveraging its expertise to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally compliant solutions. Their work in WASTE2H2 demonstrates the potential of ILs in sustainable hydrogen production, reinforcing the importance of industry collaboration in driving innovation forward.