A new method was proposed to prepare water-soluble ionic liquids by using four-compartment electrodialysis.1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIm]BF4)
used as a model ionic liquid
was synthesized.Operation voltage
feed concentration and the type of ion-exchange membrane had important impacts on the performances of the electrodialysis process
such as average current efficiency
energy consumption and product yield.Compared with the traditional method of chemical synthesis
this new method was more eco-friendly and economical.Less reaction time was needed though the reaction proceeded at room temperature.No traditional solvent was needed and higher purity was obtained by the new method.