Molecular simulation of understanding the structure and separation thermodynamics of BTX (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene) using amino acid based ionic liquids

The separation of aromatics and aliphatic from the hydrocarbon mixture stands a significant challenge. In this manuscript we present atomistic molecular dynamic simulations to understand the structure and separation thermodynamic properties of BTX (Benzene, toluene, xylene) from n-heptane using ionic liquids. Here we considered the amino acid derived ionic liquid considering the tetra butyl phosphonium as cation and valine anion at three different temperatures 298 K, 323 K and 348 K. We observe that IL show strong intermolecular structure with BEN (benzene) when compared to TOL (toluene) and XYL (p-xylene). Based on the solvation free energy (ΔGsolv), transfer free energy (ΔGtransfer) and partition coefficient (log P) analysis of BEN show favourable for the transfer from n-heptane to IL phase when compared to TOL and XYL. Overall results presented in this paper provide molecular level understanding of the design of amino acid-based IL for the separation BTX from the hydrocarbon mixture.