Ionic liquids as heat transfer fluids: comparison with known systems, possible applications, advantages and disadvantages

The practical aspects and prospects of application of ionic liquids as heat transfer fluids are discussed. The physicochemical properties of ionic liquids (heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal and radiation stability, viscosity, density, saturated vapour pressure and corrosion activity) are compared with the properties of some commercial heat transfer fluids. The issues of toxicity of ionic liquids are considered. Much attention is paid to known organosilicon heat transfer fluids, which are considered to have much in common with ionic liquids in the set of properties and are used in the review as reference materials. The bibliography includes 132 references.