Solvation structure of hexane/hexene in [C4mim][NTf2] ionic liquid

There are great energy costs associated with the separation of olefins from mixed hydrocarbon gas and liquid feeds. These olefins (obtained from natural gas, biosources, or produced from recycling of waste hydrocarbons) are chemical starting materials for high-demand materials such as PET, PPE, PVC, solvents, lubricants and medications. Ionic liquids have been suggested as low energy intensive absorbent materials that could selectively capture and release these olefins from mixtures without the need to use the expensive and energy intensive separation methods. This study aims to provide important contributions towards the understanding and comparison of hydrocarbon absorption and separations in ionic liquids at a molecular level and in the hydrocarbon gas and liquid phases. In turn this will allow the designing of sorbents with improved performance leading to the evaluation of their use in an industrial setting.