Honors Theses
Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
BS
Department
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Brooks Rabideau, Ph.D.
Advisor(s)
Matthew Confer, Ph.D. and Grayson Dennis, Ph.D.
Abstract
As global energy demand continues to rise with population growth, the environmental consequences of increased energy production, particularly with carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, are becoming more severe. A transition toward renewable energy sources is therefore essential to mitigate these effects. Renewable energy harnesses sustainable natural resources such as water, air, and sunlight. In contrast, conventional energy production relies heavily on non-renewable sources that emit large quantities of CO₂, contributing to climate change. Ionic liquids (ILs) present promising opportunities for developing more efficient and sustainable energy systems. Due to their distinctive properties, such as low melting points, high thermal stability, and tunable physicochemical behavior, ILs are being explored as potential heat transfer fluids for concentrated solar thermal (CST) energy applications. Current heat transfer fluids often exhibit high melting points and low thermal efficiency, limiting their operational range. Although ILs are generally considered thermally stable with negligible vapor pressure, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to degradation or measurable vaporization. To better understand these thermal behaviors, the activation energy of decomposition was first determined manually using the Flynn-Wall method and compared with that obtained directly from the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The activation energies differed noticeably between the two approaches, suggesting that additional effects, such as vapor pressure, may contribute to the observed mass loss. Therefore, further investigation into the vapor pressure behavior of ILs was conducted.
Vapor pressure measurements were obtained by TGA, calibrated against known standards, and analyzed using the Langmuir method to estimate vapor pressures. These findings enhance understanding of IL behavior under CST-relevant conditions and contribute to the design of more thermally robust and efficient heat transfer fluids for renewable energy applications.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Riya, "Thermal Characterization of Robust Ionic Liquids for Energy Production" (2026). Honors Theses. 148.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_theses/148
Included in
Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons, Complex Fluids Commons, Environmental Chemistry Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Other Chemical Engineering Commons