Physicochemical Properties of Potassium Carbonate-Ethylene Glycol Mixtures at Different Molar Ratios and Temperatures

Authors

  • Syarifah Nursyimi Azlina Syed Ismail Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau Campus, 02600 Perlis, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2405-0809
  • Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau Campus, 02600 Perlis, MALAYSIA.
  • Nur Nasulhah Kasim Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau Campus, 02600 Perlis, MALAYSIA.
  • Azil Bahari Alias Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam Campus, 40450 Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Razi Ahmad Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),02600 Arau, Perlis, MALAYSIA.
  • Khudzir Ismail Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau Campus, 02600 Perlis, MALAYSIA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/

Keywords:

potassium carbonate-ethylene glycol, density, viscosity, ionic conductivity, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are highly effective and environmentally benign for various industrial applications, including extraction, catalysis, and synthesis. The success of DESs relies on the types of hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and hydrogen bond donor (HBD), as well as the molar ratios and temperatures used during the process. The study investigated the solubility of PC-EG mixture at various molar ratios to determine suitable molar ratios for achieving a eutectic mixture. Then, the physicochemical properties of the PC-EG mixtures, such as phase behavior, H-bonding, density, viscosity, conductivity and thermal stability across different molar ratios and temperatures, were analyzed. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis confirmed that all mixtures were DESs, as their freezing points were lower than those of their individual components. The solid-liquid phase diagram showed that DES-8, DES-12, DES-16, and DES-19 remained in the liquid phase at temperatures of 470°C, 350°C, 220°C and 180°C, respectively. Meanwhile, FTIR analyses verified the presence of H-bonding within the DESs, but DES-19 showed minimal interaction between PC and EG. The results indicated that adding more EG content raised the molar ratio but weakened H-bonding. Similarly, increasing the molar ratio and temperature decreased the pH, density, and viscosity of the DESs, while ionic conductivity increased. Thermal analysis indicated the thermal instability of the mixtures at very high temperatures, suggesting their suitability for use at moderate temperatures. The result found that DES-12 and DES-16 had low viscosity, with strong H-bonding and excellent ionic conductivity within 30°C–40°C and 50°C–70°C. The findings of this study provide significant guidance on the effective use of PC-EG at appropriate molar ratios and temperatures to enhance desulfurization, carbon capture, and various industrial applications to achieve optimal results.

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Published

30-06-2026

Issue

Vol 45 No 2 (2026): June 2026

Section

Original Articles

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