In this work, we developed a new self-diffusion coefficient model for chain-like fluids, which was coupled with the SE equation to simultaneously describe transport properties (i.e., self-diffusion coefficient and viscosity) using the parameters obtained from thermodynamic properties. In modeling, the self-diffusion coefficient model was developed based on the diffusion coefficient of LJ spherical fluids by incorporating a correction function to describe the characteristics of chain-like molecules. Subsequently, the SE equation was used to calculate the viscosity. Based on the molecular parameters in ePC-SAFT (i.e., segment number N, segment diameter σ, and energy parameter ε/kB), one set of universal parameters was determined from the self-diffusion coefficients and viscosities of 19 n-alkanes (C2H4–C20H42) at various temperatures and pressures. The model reproduces the experimental self-diffusion coefficient data (804 data points) with an average ARD of 8.4% and the experimental viscosity data (1539 data points) with an average ARD of 7.2% for 19 n-alkanes over wide ranges of temperature and pressure. Furthermore, the viscosity and self-diffusion coefficient of the other 17 compounds, including long n-alkanes, branched alkanes, and cyclic compounds, were predicted, and among them, the relatively poor prediction results of branched alkanes and cyclic compounds were further discussed. Finally, the proposed model was extended to ionic liquids, generally providing reliable results for these complex fluids. This study suggests that it is possible to describe the thermodynamic and transport properties with one set of molecular parameters based on ePC-SAFT.

In this work, we developed the electrolyte perturbed-chain statistical associating fluids theory (ePC-SAFT) coupled with free volume theory (FVT) using an ion-based approach (i.e., treating IL cation and anion as distinct species) to model the viscosities of 72 ionic liquids (ILs) across various temperatures and pressures. To evaluate the model performance, we compared the ePC-SAFT-FVT model employing a molecular-based approach (i.e., treating IL as a single pure substance) developed in our previous work. The results indicate that the ion-based approach demonstrates desirable performance, achieving an average ARD of 8.73%. This is comparable to the molecular-based approach, which has an average ARD of 6.09%. Importantly, the ion-based approach requires fewer adjustable parameters, reducing the number from 216 to 81 for 72 ILs, and offers enhanced flexibility by allowing the combination of both cation and anion parameters for predictions. Additionally, the ion-specific ePC-SAFT-FVT model was employed to predict the viscosities of IL mixtures, which were then compared to experimental data of 19 IL mixtures. The findings reveal that the model effectively predicts the viscosity of most IL mixtures, achieving an average ARD of 9.1%. Furthermore, the ion-based approach demonstrates superior predictive performance compared to the molecule-specific ePC-SAFT-FVT model. This study indicates that the ePC-SAFT-FVT model, using an ion-based approach, reliably represents the viscosity of pure ILs and IL mixtures, leveraging the flexibility of cation and anion parameter combinations to enhance predictive capabilities.

The electrolyte perturbed-chain statistical associating fluids theory (ePC-SAFT) coupled with free volume theory (FVT) was combined with Einstein relation, that is, ePC-SAFT-FVT-E, to describe self-diffusion coefficients (SDCs) of ionic liquids (ILs). In modeling, ePC-SAFT was used to calculate density, while FVT parameters, determined from viscosity data, were utilized to calculate the summation of ionic SDCs through the Einstein relation with one parameter. Two strategies were employed to determine this parameter: fitting experimental data for each IL or estimating a universal parameter from van der Waals volume. Comparative analysis reveals good agreement with experimental data, with average absolute relative deviations (ARDs) of 8.14% (strategy 1) and 10.29% (strategy 2). Subsequently, cationic and anionic SDCs were reliably determined from the summation of ionic SDCs, with average ARDs of 10.80% and 10.21%, respectively. This study indicates the ePC-SAFT-FVT-E model, employing viscosity-derived parameters and three universal parameters, reliably predicts SDCs of ILs in wide temperature and pressure ranges.