CO2 absorption by ionic liquids: a thermodynamic and spectroscopic approach.

Author(s)

Luiz Fernando Lepre

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2017-12-13

Examining board members

Rômulo Augusto Ando; Fernanda Ferraz Camilo; Watson Loh; Mauro Carlos Costa Ribeiro; Liane Marcia Rossi

• Advisor: Rômulo Augusto Ando

Abstract

This thesis is aimed at discussing the use of ionic liquids as solvents for the absorption of CO2 and seeks to relate the effect of different intermolecular interactions in the solvent itself, as well as the interactions established with the gas, on the carbon dioxide absorption capacity. Since the macroscopic properties of ionic liquids are directly associated with their structure and the interactions between their ions, it is sought to relate macroscopic thermodynamic properties with microscopic spectroscopic evidences. Therefore, it will be possible to establish relations between the local structure of the ions and the absorption capacity of the gas, thus expanding the study on the use of these materials as CO2-absorbing solvents. Using a double experimental approach, one thermodynamic and the other spectroscopic, this thesis was divided into three parts. At first, the effect of CO2 on the structure of ionic liquids was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. In order to probe the polar domain of ionic liquids, the effect of CO2 pressure on the most characteristic bands of anions was investigated. Unlike the results reported in the literature, most of them obtained through molecular dynamics simulation, it was observed a modification on the ionic interactions in the ionic liquids polar domain. This structural change driven by CO2 revealed to be dependent on the intensity of cation-anion interactions of the liquid itself. The second step of this thesis explores the effect of ether groups of a polymer, PEO, on the properties of [N4111][NTf41112]. Negative values of mixing enthalpy, &#916;mixH < 0, suggest favorable interactions between [N4111][NTf2] and PEO. Raman spectra results also suggest a favorable interaction between N4111+ cation and PEO, where PEO chains probably wrap the cation. These interactions directly reflect on the dynamics of the system, which has a strong dependence on the polymer chain size. The increase of absorbed CO2 by increasing the amount of PEO in the mixture was explained by more favorable interactions between the gas and the polymer, as revealed by the increase in the negative values of CO2 solvation enthalpy in the mixtures. Lastly, the third part investigates the effect of adding C(CN)3- anion on the CO2 absorption capacity of [C4C1Im][Ac]. Studying the physicochemical properties of [C4C1Im][Ac] mixed with [C4C1Im][C(CN)3] it was observed a decrease in the fluid viscosity upon the addition of C(CN)3-. This behavior was attributed to a reorganization of the [C4C1Im][Ac] hydrogen bond network due to the presence of C(CN)3- anion. The presence of C(CN)3- anion does not affect significantly the chemical reaction between CO2 and [C4C1Im][Ac] (chemical equilibrium is kept constant), but Henrys law constants decrease, pointing to greater physical absorption of the gas. Although not affecting the CO2 chemical uptake by [C4C1Im][Ac], the presence of the C(CN)3- anion considerably improves mass transfer, increasing the fluidity of the absorbent liquid. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/23234-7 - Ionic Liquids for CO2 Capture: Physical vs. Chemical Absorption.
• Grantee: Luiz Fernando Lepre
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate