110th Anniversary: The First Thermodynamic and Kinetic Analysis of Ammonia in Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids Using a Gravimetric Microbalance

Abstract

The first vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) measurements for the binary systems of ammonia (NH3) and three imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) have been successfully measured using a gravimetric microbalance. ILs 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4C1im][PF6]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C4C1im][BF4]), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2C1im][NTf2]) were measured at temperatures of 283.15, 298.15, 323.15, and 348.15 K and at pressures up to 0.7 MPa using the new Hiden XEMIS gravimetric microbalance. The VLE data were correlated using the Peng–Robinson equation of state and the Non-Random Two Liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient models. Both models are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The Fickian diffusivities of NH3 in imidazolium-based ILs were obtained fitting experimental concentration to the one-dimensional (1D) mass diffusion equation, and found to be about 3 to 5 times lower than the diffusion of NH3 in water (H2O). The semitheoretical Stokes–Einstein equation was used to model diffusivities and to obtain the diffusing radius of NH3 in imidazolium-based ILs.