Absorption of NO and NO2 in Caprolactam Tetrabutyl Ammonium Halide Ionic Liquids

ABSTRACT

To explore environmentally benign solvents for the absorption of NO and NO₂, a series of caprolactam tetrabutyl ammonium halide ionic liquids were synthesized. The solubility of NO and NO₂ was measured at temperatures ranging from 298.2 to 363.2 K and atmospheric pressure, and the following trend in the solubility of NO and NO₂ in ionic liquids with various halide anions was observed, respectively: F > Br > Cl and Br > Cl > F. Moreover, as the temperature increased from 308.15 to 363.15 K and the mole ratio of caprolactam increased from 2:1 to 6:1, the solubility of NO increased. Alternatively, the solubility of NO₂ decreased as the temperature increased from 298.15 to 363.15 K, and the mole ratio of caprolactam increased from 2:1 to 6:1. The absorption and desorption of NO and NO₂ was practically reversible in the ionic liquids, which was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance. The method, which is at least partially reversible, offers interesting possibilities for the removal of NO and NO₂.

IMPLICATIONS Basic ionic liquids with amino groups were synthesized and used to capture CO₂, SO₂, and H₂S, and to promote hydrogenation of CO₂. In this paper, the authors used caprolactam tetrabutyl ammonium halide ionic liquid (IL) as absorbing medium in which NO_x could be absorbed. NO_x desorbed from the absorbent could be efficiently reduced by right catalysts at high temperature. The absorbed NO and NO₂ gas could be desorbed at higher temperature, allowing the ionic liquids to be reused several times without loss of capability. It was believed that caprolactam tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (CPL-TBAB) ILs may be useful for NO_x removal reagent for pollution control.