Phosphonium based poly(ionic liquid)/ ionic liquid membranes for high temperature ion conductance: Influence of ionic liquid structure and loading on membrane stability and performance

Ionic liquids are novel materials for use in catalysis, electrochemistry, and energy storage due to their high thermal and chemical stability as well as high ion conductivity. Development of ionic liquid monomers allows the production of polymeric ionic liquid materials which combine the versatility of ionic liquid materials with the mechanical stability of traditional polymeric membranes. Previous research has shown that inclusion of non-polymerizable free-ionic liquid in polymer and ionic liquid monomer formulations allows an increase in mechanical stability and ionic liquid properties. Further, free-ionic liquid loading improves the flexibility of membrane materials through hybridization of material properties. This research focused on the influence of ionic liquid structure and loading in poly(ionic liquid)/ionic liquid materials with regards to ion conductivity and mechanical stability. This material complex has been successful at the development of free-standing membranes with thicknesses down to 10 μm. Reduction of ionic liquid alkyl chain length resulted in increased thermal stability of membrane materials with negligible changes in ion conductivity performance at high temperatures. Further, an increase of free-ionic liquid loading resulted in an increase in overall ion conductivity and membrane mechanical stability. However, at ionic liquid loadings greater than 40 wt%, mechanical stability diminishes due to ionic liquid leakage. Through the use of poly(ionic liquid)/ionic liquid composite materials, novel membranes can be developed for a multitude of applications with greater flexibility, tunability, and performance. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Imaging findings in suspected penile fracture: alternative diagnoses and surgical correlation

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to compare the imaging and surgical findings in a cohort of patients with suspected penile fracture (PF). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients with suspected PF over an 11-year period at a tertiary referral andrology centre. All dedicated presurgical imaging with ultrasound (US) and MRI was analysed and correlated with intraoperative findings; alternative diagnoses were recorded. RESULTS: 193 patients were included. 104 (54%) had alternative diagnoses to PF including dorsal vein rupture and haematoma. 99 (51%) underwent surgical exploration of which 89 (46%) had PF.US correctly confirmed the presence and marked site of fracture in 92% of cases. MRI was primarily used as a problem-solving tool (13 cases) and demonstrated a more extensive injury than US (12 cases). The reported size of tunical defect on imaging was a median of 7 mm (IQR 4-10) significantly smaller than on exploration, (median 20 mm, IQR 10-30) p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: US has a high positive predictive value in the confirmation of penile fracture. MRI improves the detection and characterising the extent of injury. Imaging marking informs surgical incision but defect size is under appreciated on all imaging modalities. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Penile imaging has a high positive predictive value to not only confirm the diagnosis of PF but to stage the extent of injury and mark the skin, which impacts the surgical technique. Alternative diagnoses to fracture are common and imaging could prevent unnecessary surgical exploration