Photocatalytic degradation of imidazolium ionic liquids using dye sensitized TiO2/SiO2 composites

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely applied in diverse fields, however, ILs bring considerable challenges to the ecosystem when exposed to the environment due to their cytotoxicity and high chemical stability. It is thus increasingly important to investigate measures for the degradation of IL wastes in industrial processes. This paper presents the preparation of dye-sensitized photocatalysts (DCQ-TiO2/SiO2) and their applications in the degradation of 4 imidazolium ILs (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [BMIM]Br; 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM] BF4; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM]PF6; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, [BMIM]NTf2). The photocatalysts are prepared through in situ incorporation of TiO2 into silica matrices and sensitization with 2,9dichloroquinacridone (DCQ). The photocatalysts are then characterized with N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The results show that these photocatalysts exhibit high catalytic activities when they are applied in the degradation of imidazolium ILs. The degradation efficiency for [BMIM] Br can reach up to 95% under simulated sunlight irradiation in 180 minutes. The photodegradation intermediates of [BMIM](+) are identified as harmless and easily biodegradable moieties.