Improved single-step extraction performance of aqueous biphasic systems using novel symmetric ionic liquids for the decolorisation of toxic dye effluents

Abstract

The novel aqueous biphasic systems based on symmetric imidazolium ionic liquids (IL-ABSs)for the extraction of toxic and resistive dyes from water was studied. The cation symmetricity of ILs strongly influence the outstanding ability of 1,3-dibutylimidazolium dicyanamide, [bbim][dca], to generate ABS with the exceptionally low amount of eco-friendly citrate salt. A remarkable potential of [bbim][dca]/citrate based ABS to remove Orange II from wastewater with concentration up to 1000 fold and efficiency above 99.4% in a single step was achieved. The improved safety of proposed method nominates it as promising future strategy for pollution prevention.