Síntesis de una membrana con líquido iónico de tercera generación, su evaluación en separación de CO2 y su captura en un cultivo hidropónico
In the present research work, four membranes supported with ionic liquids (SILMs) were synthesized to be evaluated in the CO2 separation from the CO2/N2 mixture. As for the ionic liquids, two of them were functionalized with an amino group at the cationic part, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium triflate ([AEMIm]Tf) and 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([AEMIm]BF4), the third and fourth ionic liquids possessed the amino group at the anionic part, trioctylmethylammonium anthranilate ([TOMA]An) and triethylmethylammonium oleate ([TOMA]Ol). The chemical structure of the ionic liquids was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies; the thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and density was measured with a pycnometer. The impregnation degree and distribution of the ionic liquids in an alumina tubular support were established by means of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The transport properties of the gases were evaluated by the variable volume method using pure gases and their mixtures with a 50/50 volumetric ratio at 30 °C and 1, 2 and 3 bar. The SILM [TOMA]An showed the highest selectivity (70) and the best permselectivity balance, surpassing the limits in the Robeson plot. The SILMs with amino groups reacted with CO2 to obtain the carbamate chemical group. The thermal stability and infrared studies suggest that this group is stable even after the beginning of the decomposition process of the ionic liquid. In order to provide an added value to the use of CO2, a lettuce hydroponic greenhouse was enriched with this gas, observing an accelerated growing effect.