Using ionic liquids in regenerative air revitalization systems for life support in space (review of literature)

Ionic liquids are salts, mostly organic, consisting of ions. Ionic liquids have unique properties: exceptionally low vapor pressure, liquid phase temperature ranging from zero to several hundreds degrees centigrade, high thermal and chemical stability. The organic and ionic nature of ionic liquids makes them excellent solvents for a multitude of substances, while anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity of many ionic liquids, combined with their low toxicity, is of great importance to industry and medicine. For life support systems in space, including on the Moon and on Mars, the ionic liquids show great potential for use as: • absorbents of carbon dioxide, water vapor and, partially, noxious gaseous contaminants; • a medium for low-temperature electrochemical reactions in regenerative air revitalization systems, including CO2 electrolysis.