Surface active dicationic ionic liquids as green oil spill dispersants

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2024-04, Vol.201, p.116280-116280, Article 116280
• Main Authors: El-Nagar, Raghda A., Ghanem, Alaa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anthracenes; Asphaltene; Crude oil; Ionic liquids; Ionic Liquids - toxicity; Oil spill; Petroleum - toxicity; Petroleum Pollution - analysis; Surface parameters; Surface-Active Agents - toxicity; Toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116280

The utilization of chemical dispersants as a way of mitigating of oil spills in marine eco-system has been extensively documented worldwide. Hence, in this research we have successfully synthesized two amphiphilic asymmetric Dicaionic Ionic Liquids (DILs). The efficacy of these synthesized DILs as dispersants was assessed using the baffled flask test (BFT). The results indicated a dispersant effectiveness ranging from 47.98 % to 79.76 % for the dispersion of heavy crude oil across various temperature ranges (10–30 °C). These dispersant-to-oil ratios (DOR) were maintained at 3: 100 (V%), showcasing promising dispersant capabilities for mitigating heavy crude oil spills. Additionally, acute toxicity tests conducted on Nile tilapia and Oreochromis niloticus have demonstrated the relatively low toxicity of the IL-dispersants, with Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) values exceeding 100 ppm after 96 h. This suggests a practically slight toxic effect on the tested fish. In summary, the newly developed IL-dispersants are considered to be conducive to environmentally benign oil spill remediation. •Synthesis of asymmetric Dicationic Ionic Liquids for oil spill dispersion•The studied DILs recorded high dispersion efficiency against the spilled crude oil.•Surface active parameters and emulsion stability were well studied.•DILs dispersants evidenced to be slightly toxic against acute toxicity test.