Cationic Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Ionic Liquid and Nonionic Surfactant-Ionic Liquid Systems: A Comparative Study Based upon Experimental Design

Z. Talbi (1) , Boumediene Haddou (1) , H. Ghouas (1) , Mohamed Kameche (1) , Zoubir Derriche (1) , Christophe Gourdon (2)

1 Laboratoire Physique-Chimie des Matériaux Catalyse et Environnement - LPCME (Oran, Algérie)
2 LGC - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique

In order to separate methylene blue from aqueous solution, a novel method based upon liquid-liquid extraction, using a nonionic surfactant-ionic liquid system as extracting phase, was investigated. A comparative study was carried out with the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, known as [C4mim]PF6. By using the nonionic surfactant-ionic liquid system, the extraction efficiency could reach 97.8%, indicating that the addition of nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114) significantly improves the extraction of methylene blue. Under optimal conditions, the dye concentration in the effluent showed an almost 50-fold reduction. However, the extraction extent of methylene blue was found to be low at low pH values, and in the presence of K2CO3, which may be useful for surfactant-ionic liquid system regeneration.

Mots clés: Cloud point extraction; Ionic liquid; Methylene blue; Nonionic surfactant

Domaines: Génie chimique; Génie des procédés

Z. Talbi, Boumediene Haddou, H. Ghouas, Mohamed Kameche, Zoubir Derriche, et al.. Cationic Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Ionic Liquid and Nonionic Surfactant-Ionic Liquid Systems: A Comparative Study Based upon Experimental Design. Chemical Engineering Communications, 2014, 201 (1), pp.41-52. ⟨10.1080/00986445.2012.759563⟩. ⟨hal-01888753⟩