Study of the behaviour of the azeotropic mixture ethanol–water with imidazolium-based ionic liquids

In this work, experimental data of isobaric vapour–liquid equilibria for the ternary system ethanol + water + 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₆mim][Cl]) and for the corresponding binary systems containing the ionic liquid (ethanol + [C₆mim][Cl], water + [C₆mim][Cl]) were carried out at 101.300 kPa. VLE experimental data of binary and ternary systems were correlated using the NRTL equation. In a previous work [N. Calvar, B. González, E. Gómez, A. Domínguez, J. Chem. Eng. Data 51 (2006) 2178–2181], the VLE of the ternary system ethanol + water + [C₄mim][Cl] was determined and correlated, so we can study the influence of different ionic liquids in the behaviour of the azeotropic mixture ethanol–water.     

Ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate: an attractive solvent for native chemical ligation of peptides

The ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C₂mim][OAc]) was successfully used as alternative solvent for native chemical ligation of peptide fragments to produce model peptide LYRAXCRANK (X = G, A, L, N, Q, K, and F). The commonly used buffer system including thiol additives such as thiophenol and benzyl mercaptan can be replaced by the nontoxic ionic liquid [C₂mim][OAc]. In addition to improving the solubility of the peptides in [C₂mim][OAc], yields and rates of the ligation reactions were found to be efficiently enhanced.     

Ionic liquids as porogens in the microwave-assisted synthesis of methacrylate monoliths for chromatographic application

Several imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) with varying cation alkyl chain length (C₄–C₁₀) and anion type (tetrafluoroborate ([BF₄]⁻), hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]⁻)) were used as reaction media in the microwave polymerization of methacrylate-based stationary phases. Scanning electron micrographs and backpressures of poly(butyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) (poly(BMA-EDMA)) monoliths synthesized in the presence of these ionic liquids demonstrated that porosity and permeability decreased when cation alkyl chain length and anion hydrophobicity were increased. Performance of these monoliths was assessed for their ability to separate parabens by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Intra-batch precision (n = 3 columns) for retention time and peak area ranged was 0.80–1.13% and 3.71–4.58%, respectively. In addition, a good repeatability of RSD_{Retention time} = <0.30% and ∼1.0%, RSD_{Peak area} = <1.30% and <4.3%, and RSD_Efficiency = <0.6% and <11.5% for intra-day and inter-day, respectively exemplify monolith performance reliability for poly(BMA-EDMA) fabricated using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₆mim][BF₄]) porogen. This monolith was also tested for its potential in nanoLC to separate protein digests in gradient mode. ILs as porogens also fabricated different alkyl methacrylate (AMA) (C4–C18) monoliths. Furthermore, employing binary IL porogen mixture such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) successfully decreased the denseness of the monolith, than when using [C₄mim][Tf₂N] IL alone, enabling a chromatographic run to be performed with 1:1 ratio produced baseline separation for the analytes. The combination of ILs and microwave irradiation made polymer synthesis very fast (∼10 min), entirely green (organic solvent-free) and energy saving process.     

Laser-induced fluorescence and infrared spectroscopic studies on the specific solvation of tris(1-(2-thienyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-butanedionato)europium(III) in an ionic liquid

The extraction constant and the two-phase stability constant (K_D,Mβ₃) of tris(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato)europium(III) between 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) as an ionic liquid and an aqueous phase were determined by considering the extraction equilibria including anionic tetrakis(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato)europate(III). Specific solute-solvent interactions between the neutral Eu(III) chelate and [C₄mim][Tf₂N] molecules were revealed from the relationships between the distribution constant of the enol form of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) as a proton chelate and the distribution constant (K_D,M) of the neutral Eu(III) chelate because the [C₄mim][Tf₂N] system gave the high K_D,Mβ₃ value compared with those in conventional molecular solvents such as benzene and 1,2-dichloroethane. The coordination environment of Eu³⁺ in the neutral Eu(III) chelate in [C₄mim][Tf₂N] was investigated by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy. Both methods consistently indicated that not only the Eu(III) chelate extracted but also Eu(tta)₃(H₂O)₃ synthesized as a solid crystal were almost completely dehydrated in [C₄mim][Tf₂N] saturated with water. Consequently, the higher K_D,M or extractability of the neutral Eu(III) chelate in the [C₄mim][Tf₂N] system can be ascribed to the dehydration of the Eu(III) chelate, which is caused by the specific solvation with [C₄mim][Tf₂N] molecules.     

Effect of additives on the surface active and morphological features of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium halide aggregates in aqueous media

The influence of two salts as additives namely sodium chloride and sodium sulphate and a nonelectrolyte, 2-butoxyethanol on surface chemical and aggregation characteristics of ionic liquids (IL) of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C₈mim][Cl], 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [C₈mim][Br], and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, [C₈mim][I] in aqueous media were monitored through surface tension and small angle neutron scattering measurements. The addition of salts drastically decreased the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and increased the area per adsorbed IL molecule. The co-ions of salts modify the surface of IL molecules and aggregates through various interactions such as charge neutralization, specific interactions and dehydration The results obtained by analyzing the SANS curves in the whole Q range showed that the oblate ellipsoidal shape of the aggregates of ionic liquids is un-altered upon the addition of additives. However the additives facilitate the growth of the aggregates in to microstructures with cubic packing at high salt concentrations.     

Extraction and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of 3-indole butyric acid in pea plants by using imidazolium-based ionic liquids as extractant

In this paper, imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C₄mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][PF₆], [C₈mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][BF₄] and [C₈mim][BF₄] were tested as extracting solvents for removal of 3-indole butyric acid (IBA) from aqueous media with subsequent determination using HPLC. Percent extraction of IBA was strongly affected by pH of aqueous phases and the chemical structures of ionic liquids (ILs). Extraction of IBA was quantitative in the pH values lower than pK_a of IBA. Considering both extraction and stripping efficiencies of IBA, [C₄mim][PF₆] was found to act more efficient than other studied ILs. Capacity of [C₄mim][PF₆] was 17.6 × 10⁻⁴ mmol IBA per 1.0 mL of IL. Ionic strength of aqueous phase and temperature had shown no serious effects on extraction efficiency of IBA. A preconcentration factor of 100 and a relative standard deviation of 1.16% were obtained. It was found that ionic liquid phase was reusable almost five times for extraction/stripping purposes. 3-Indole acetic acid showed interferential effect in the extraction step. In order to assess the applicability of the method, extraction and stripping of IBA from pea plants and some other samples were studied.     

Solubility of carbon dioxide in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

In this work, the phase behaviour of the binary system of carbon dioxide and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([emim][Tf₂N]) has been studied experimentally. The equipment used for the experiments is the Cailletet set-up, based on visual observations of phase transitions of systems with constant overall composition. Results are reported for carbon dioxide concentrations ranging from 12.3 to 59.3 mol%, and within temperature and pressure ranges of 310–450 K and 0–15 MPa, respectively. The data reveal an extremely high capacity of the selected ionic liquid for dissolving CO₂ gas, for example, reaching up to about 60 mol% within the above-mentioned pressure and temperature range. Also, the solubility of CO₂ in the ionic liquid [emim][Tf₂N] is compared to the solubility of CO₂ in the ionic liquid [emim][PF₆], an ionic liquid that shares the same cation.     

N-butylpyridinium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids as solvents for the liquid-liquid extraction of aromatics from their mixtures with alkanes: Isomeric effect of the cation

The liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) of four ternary systems comprising toluene, heptane, and an ionic liquid with the cation N-butylpyridinium ([bpy]), or 2-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([2bmpy]), or 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([3bmpy]), or 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([4bmpy]), and the anion bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]) were determined at 313.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The distribution ratios and the separation factor curves from the LLE data were plotted and compared to those for sulfolane. The results show no significant differences in the values of these parameters between [bpy][Tf₂N] and [2bmpy][Tf₂N], and between [3bmpy][Tf₂N] and [4bmpy][Tf₂N]. The experimental LLE data were satisfactorily correlated by means of the thermodynamic NRTL model.     

Solubilities of ammonia in basic imidazolium ionic liquids

Solubilities of ammonia in four conventional imidazolium ionic liquids: [C_nmim][BF₄] (n = 2, 4, 6, 8) have been measured. Isothermally fixed temperatures are 293.15, 303.15, 313.15, 323.15 and 333.15 K; the pressure is from 0 to 1.0 MPa. High solubilities of ammonia are found, and it is also found that the solubilities of ammonia increase when the length of cations’ alkyl increases (the ILs have the same anion), that is: [C₈mim]⁺ > [C₆mim]⁺ > [C₄mim]⁺ > [C₂mim]⁺. The solubility data have been correlated by the Krichevisky–Kasarnovsky equation, and then Henry's constants and partial molar volumes of NH₃ at infinite dilution are obtained. The thermodynamic properties such as solution enthalpy (Δ_solH), solution Gibbs free energy (Δ_solG), solution entropy (Δ_solS), and solution heat capacity (Δ_solC_p) of these systems are obtained.     

Speciation of Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes in Ionic Liquids: A Multiple‐Technique Approach

The dissolution process of metal complexes in ionic liquids was investigated by a multiple‐technique approach to reveal the solvate species of the metal in solution. The task‐specific ionic liquid betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][Tf₂N]) is able to dissolve stoichiometric amounts of the oxides of the rare‐earth elements. The crystal structures of the compounds [Eu₂(bet)₈(H₂O)₄][Tf₂N]₆, [Eu₂(bet)₈(H₂O)₂][Tf₂N]₆?2H₂O, and [Y₂(bet)₆(H₂O)₄][Tf₂N]₆ were found to consist of dimers. These rare‐earth complexes are well soluble in the ionic liquids [Hbet][Tf₂N] and [C₄mim][Tf₂N] (C₄mim=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium). The speciation of the metal complexes after dissolution in these ionic liquids was investigated by luminescence spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C, and ⁸⁹Y NMR spectroscopy, and by the synchrotron techniques EXAFS (extended X‐ray absorption fine structure) and HEXS (high‐energy X‐ray scattering). The combination of these complementary analytical techniques reveals that the cationic dimers decompose into monomers after dissolution of the complexes in the ionic liquids. Deeper insight into the solution processes of metal compounds is desirable for applications of ionic liquids in the field of electrochemistry, catalysis, and materials chemistry.     

Study on the Conductivities of Pure and Aqueous Bromide-Based Ionic Liquids at Different Temperatures

Electrical conductivities were measured for the pure ionic liquids [C₆mim][Br] (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide) and [C₈mim][Br] (1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide) at 0.1 MPa from 293.15 to 333.15 K. Conductivity measurements were also made for the binary water + [C₆mim][Br] and water + [C₈mim][Br] systems and their ternary water + [C₆mim][Br] + [C₈mim][Br] system at 0.1 MPa and 293.15, 298.15, and 303.15 K. The conductivity data of the pure ionic liquids were correlated by the VFT (Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher) equation, and the fitting parameters and mean absolute deviations were determined. New explanations are presented for the molality-dependent behavior of the conductivity of the binary water + [C₆mim][Br] and water + [C₈mim][Br] systems. The generalized Young’s rule and the semi-ideal solution theory for conductivity were used to predict the conductivities of the ternary water + [C₆mim][Br] + [C₈mim][Br] system from the conductivities of its corresponding binary water + [C₆mim][Br] and water + [C₈mim][Br] subsystems. The predictions are in good agreement with the measured values.     

Solvent-Impregnated Resins Based on the Mixture of (2-Diphenylphosphoryl)-4-ethylphenoxy)methyl) diphenylphosphine Oxide and Ionic Liquid for Nd(III) Recovery from Nitric Acid Media

Novel solvent-impregnated resins (SIRs) were prepared by treatment of styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer (LPS-500) with mixtures of the promising polydentante extractant (2-diphenylphosphoryl)-4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (L) and an ionic liquid [C₄mim]⁺[Tf₂N]⁻for the extraction chromatography recovery of Nd(III) from nitric acid solutions. It was shown that introduction of the ionic liquid into the SIR composition results in considerable enhancement of the Nd(III) recovery efficiency compared with resin impregnated only by L in slightly acidic media. The influence of the L: ionic liquid molar ratio in the SIRs composition, their percentages, concentration of metal and HNO₃ in the eluent, and acid type on the value of synergistic effect and adsorption efficiency of Nd(III) recovery was studied. The SIR containing 40% of mixture of L and [C₄mim]⁺[Tf₂N]⁻ with molar ratio 2:1 turned out to be the most efficient. The selectivity of Nd(III) separation from light and heavy rare-earth elements was studied and the optimal conditions of Nd(III) adsorption recovery and stripping by this SIR were chosen. It was found that in recovery efficiency of Nd(III) developed SIR exceeded the SIR containing Cyanex 923 (a mixture of monodentate trialkylphosphine oxides) and [C₄mim]⁺[Tf₂N]⁻.     

Study of the Alkyl Chain Length on Laccase Stability and Enzymatic Kinetic with Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

The activity and stability of laccase and their kinetic mechanisms in water soluble ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₄mim][Cl], 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₈mim][Cl], and 1-decyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₁₀mim][Cl] were investigated. The results show that an IL concentration up to 10% is satisfactory for initial laccase activity at pH 9.0. The laccase stability was well maintained in [C₄mim][Cl] IL when compared to the control. The inactivation of laccase increases with the length of the alkyl chain in the IL: [C₁₀mim][Cl] > [C₈mim][Cl] > [C₄mim][Cl]. The kinetic studies in the presence of ABTS as substrate allowed calculating the Michaelis–Menten parameters. Among the ILs, [C₄mim][Cl] was the suitable choice attending to laccase activity and stability. Alkyl chains in the ions of ILs have a deactivating effect on laccase, which increases strongly with the length of the alkyl chain.     

Ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery from oily sludge-experiment and mechanism

The oily sludge would cause environment pollution, and would cause the heavy oil waste. Therefore, it was vital for us to find novel methods to obtain heavy oil from the oily sludges. In this study, the [C₁₂mim][PF₆] and [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids(ILs) were used to enhance the oil recovery. The toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery, and both the two ILs could increase the oil recovery. Toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery (89.4 wt%), and n-octane could obtain the lowest oil recovery (76.8 wt%). [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] could efficiently increase the heavy oil recovery to 91.2 wt%(by toluene). The [C₁₂mim][Br] could increase the heavy oil recovery further. Both the [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] and the [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids could increase the heavy ois C/H ratio, decrease heavy oil viscosity and increase the sands hydrophilicity. The [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids showed better effect. In addition, the ionic liquids could increase the solvents recovery, and the ionic liquids recovery were high. Therefore, the ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery could be recycled to ten times. The two ionic liquids could effectively decrease the heavy oil interaction force, and when the ionic liquids increased to 200 ppm, the force remained stable. In the end, the ionic liquids enhancing solvent extraction mechanism was put forward.     

The Temperature Effect on the Transport Properties of 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquids

The temperature dependences of specific and equivalent conductivities, viscosity, density, and crystallization temperature are determined for three 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([C _n MeIm] [Tf₂N], n = 2, 3, 4) ionic liquids saturated with water vapor at room temperature. It is established that in the area of positive temperatures, the relationship between viscosity and conductivity obeys the fractional Walden rule with exponents of 0.97, 0.92, and 0.92 for ionic liquids with ethyl-, propyl-, butylradicals, respectively. The temperature dependences of conductivity and viscosity are approximated using the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation (R² > 0.999), and ideal glass transition temperatures T₀ are calculated for the investigated liquids. The obtained values of T₀ depend largely on the chosen range of temperatures. It is shown that [C₂MeIm][Tf₂N] occupies a separate position with regard to [C₃MeIm][Tf₂N] and [C₄MeIm][Tf₂N].     

Enzymatic polyester synthesis in ionic liquids

The enzymatic synthesis of polyesters by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and polycondensation in three ionic liquids, i.e., [bmim][Tf₂N], [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] was investigated. For the enzymatic ROP of ε-caprolactone it was found that [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] result in an inhomogeneous reaction mixture upon polymerization, causing polymerization characteristics similar to bulk polymerization. In contrast, for [bmim][Tf₂N] characteristics similar to toluene were observed. Molecular weights of 7000-9500 g/mol were obtained. In the polycondensation of dimethyl adipate and dimethyl sebacate, respectively, with 1,4-butanol the low volatility of ionic liquids was successfully utilized to perform the reactions in an open vessel at temperatures close to the boiling point of the condensation by-product. Molecular weights up to 5400 g/mol were obtained. This, in combination with the tunable solvent hydrophilicity of ionic liquids could offer an advantage in the polymerization of highly polar monomers with low solubility in organic solvents.     

Antistatic ability of 1-n-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and its effects on the structure and properties of polypropylene

In this study, 1-n-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₁₄mim]Br), one kind of imidazolium ionic liquid (imi-IL), was incorporated into polypropylene (PP) via melt blending. The measurement of surface resistance (R_s) and volume resistance (R_v) of neat PP and PP/[C₁₄mim]Br blends indicated that [C₁₄mim]Br had excellent antistatic properties. The PP/[C₁₄mim]Br blend had the best antistatic ability, when the weight ratio of [C₁₄mim]Br to PP reached 3/100. The surface resistance of PP/[C₁₄mim]Br decreased from the 7.67 × 10¹³ to 1.40 × 10⁷ Ω whereas the volume resistance of PP decreased from 2.67 × 10¹⁴ to 2.60 × 10⁷ Ω. Semicrystalline morphology and crystal structure were investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The spherulites of PP became smaller with the addition of [C₁₄mim]Br, implying that [C₁₄mim]Br had a nucleating effect in the PP matrix. The XRD study indicates the crystallization process of PP was affected by [C₁₄mim]Br, and the crystallinity of PP was thus decreased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies reveal that [C₁₄mim]Br had good dispersion in PP; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows the addition of [C₁₄mim]Br remarkably increased the thermal stability of PP even though it is a small molecule.     

Phase behaviour of 1-hexyloxymethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium and 1,3-dihexyloxymethyl-imidazolium based ionic liquids with alcohols,water, ketones and hydrocarbons: The effect of cation and anion on solubility

The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE), or solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) of more than 20 binary systems containing 1-hexyloxymethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide [C₆H₁₃OCH₂MIM][Tf₂N] with alcohol (butan-1-ol, or hexan-1-ol, or octan-1-ol), water and ketone (3-pentanone, or cyclopentanone) and of 1-hexyloxymethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₆H₁₃OCH₂MIM][BF₄] with alcohol (methanol, or ethanol, or butan-1-ol, or hexan-1-ol, or octan-1-ol), water and ketone (3-pentanone, or cyclopentanone) have been measured. The solubility of dialkoxy-imidazolium salts: (1) 1,3-dihexyloxymethyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide [(C₆H₁₃OCH₂)₂IM][Tf₂N] in alcohol (butan-1-ol, or hexan-1-ol, or octan-1-ol, or decan-1-ol), in water and hydrocarbon (benzene, hexane and cyclohexane); (2) 1,3-dihexyloxymethyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [(C₆H₁₃OCH₂)₂IM][BF₄] in alcohol (hexan-1-ol, or octan-1-ol, or decan-1-ol) and water have been measured. Measurements were carried out by using a dynamic method from T = 275 K to the boiling point of the solvent. In this work a systematic study of the impact of different factors on the phase behaviour of hexyloxy-imidazolium-based ionic liquids with polar and nonpolar solvents has been presented. Most of the examined systems showed immiscibility in the liquid phase with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), or complete solubility of the ionic liquid at room temperature in many solvents. An increase in the alkyl chain length of alcohol resulted in an increase in the UCST. The choice of anion was shown to have large impact on the solubility: by changing the anion [Tf₂N]⁻ to [BF₄]⁻, the solubility dramatically decreased and the UCST increased. By contrast, increasing hydrogen bonding opportunities with the solvent by replacing a methyl group with the second alkoxy-group on the imidazolium ring results in an increase of the solubility.     

Extraction of Pb (II) and Co (II) using N,N-dioctylsuccinamate based room temperature ionic liquids containing aliphatic and aromatic cations

Synthesis and Characterization of six novel N,N-dioctylsuccinamate based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) bearing imidazolium, pyridinium, ester imidazolium, and quaternary ammonium cations is reported. Extraction of Pb(II) and Co(II) by these RTILs has been investigated. Ionic liquids (ILs) synthesized were [C₄mim][N₈₈SA], [C₈mim][N₈₈SA], [C₄Py][N₈₈SA], [C₈Py][N₈₈SA], [α-mim-ester][N₈₈SA] and [N₂₂₄₄][N₈₈SA] termed as L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6 respectively. Liquid-liquid extraction was performed and all the six systems showed excellent extractability results for both Pb(II) and Co(II). During the process of extraction several factors i.e., nature of cation, pH of the aqueous phase, equilibration time, and initial metal ion concentration were investigated. The extraction efficiency of above 98 % for all types of extractants was observed. The nature of cation its concentration, equilibration time, and pH of the aqueous phase significantly influenced the extraction efficiency. Maximum extraction was observed at pH values between 4 and 8 and optimum contact time was observed to be 40–45 min. Increasing the metal ion concentration decreased the extraction efficiency. The extraction efficiency of both metal ions decreased in the order [N₈₈SA][C₈mim] (L2) > [α-mim-Ester][N₈₈SA] (L5) > [N₈₈SA][C₄mim] (L1). This is evident from the order of extraction behaviour that increasing the bulkiness of cation, results in stronger complexation, hence increasing extraction.     

Study of the solubility of CO2, H2S and their mixture in the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate: Experimental and modelling

New experimental results are presented for the solubility of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide in the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₈mim][PF₆]) at temperatures range from (303.15 to 353.15) K and pressures up to about 2 MPa. The solubility of the mixture of CO₂/H₂S in [C₈mim][PF₆] under various feed compositions were also measured at temperatures of (303.15, 323.15 and 343.15) K and the pressure up to 1 MPa. The solubility of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide increased with increasing pressure and decreased with increasing temperature and the solubility of H₂S is about three times that of CO₂ in the particular ionic liquid studied. The measured data were correlated using extended Henry’s law included Pitzer’s virial expansion for the excess Gibbs energy, and the generic Redlich–Kwong cubic equation of state proposed for gas/ionic liquid systems. The correlations from the two models show quite good consistency with the experimental data for CO₂/IL and H₂S/IL binary mixtures within experimental uncertainties. For CO₂/H₂S/IL ternary mixtures, the RK model shows better correlation with the experimental values. We also studied the effect of cation alkyl chain length on the CO₂ and H₂S solubility by comparison of the experimental data of this study with those of previous reports. As the cation alkyl chain length became longer, the solubility of CO₂ and H₂S increased in the ionic liquid. Additionally, the influence of the anion on the solubility is studied by comparing the solubility of CO₂ and H₂S in [C₈mim][PF₆] with those in [C₈mim][Tf₂N]. As a result, CO₂ and H₂S have higher solubility in the IL with [Tf₂N]⁻ as the anion.