Physical properties of deep eutectic solvents with efficient nitrogen removal capability

Abstract

The efficient separation of N-compounds from fuel oil is of great significance for environmental protection and the development of sustainable chemical processes. In this work, eight quaternary acidic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were prepared for the removal of basic N-compounds (pyridine) from simulated oils. Initially, the density, viscosity, conductivity, surface tension and refractive index values of the DESs were determined at 293.15–333.15 K. Based on these data, physical quantities such as molecular volume, standard entropy, lattice energy, activation energy of viscous flow, activation energy of conductivity, surface entropy, surface energy, speed of sound, molar Gibbs free energy, molar polarizability, molar polarizability, and free molar volume have been calculated. The effects of temperature, alkyl chain length of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs)/hydrogen bond donors (HBDs), structure of HBDs, and HBAs anion on the physical properties of DESs were systematically investigated. The internal interaction and property change of DESs are further studied. Finally, pyridine was extracted from the simulated oil using the prepared DESs. DESs consisting of tetrabutylammonium bromide and lactic acid had the highest extraction capacity under the same conditions. The extraction efficiency was found to be strongly correlated with the alkyl chain length and the acidity of the HBDs. This work is expected to provide information on the removal of N-compounds from both theoretical and industrial perspectives.