Synthesis and physico-chemical properties of new green electrolyte 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium perchlorate

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium perchlorate ([BMIM]ClO4) was synthesized by two steps with N-methylimidazolium. Some physico-chemical properties, such as density, surface tension, viscosity, electrical conductivity as well as electrochemical window, were investigated and solvent performance was also studied. The results show that this kind of ionic liquid is an excellent electrolyte with low viscosity, high electrical conductivity and wide electrochemical window. In addition, [BMIM]ClO4 is soluble in most conventional solvents and some metal oxides have high solubility in it, which lays the foundation of direct electrolysis of metal oxides in this ionic liquid.