Ionic Liquids and Smart Separations Technology for Metal Removal from Wastewaters pp. 257-280
Authors: (F. J. Alguacil, I. Garcia-Diaz, F. A. Lopez, O. Rodriguez, A. Urien, I. Padilla, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalurgicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain)
Abstract: Properties of ionic liquids make these compounds of interest in a wide number of applications. Due to their composition, a cation and an anion, these compounds can be used also advantageously in separation processes. Pollution of the environment is one of the problems to be solved by mankind. Many metals are considered as hazardous elements and thus their removal from wastewaters are needed to protect the environment and to avoid poisoning of animal species and humans. Despite their toxicity, metals and their compounds found a wide variety of uses in agriculture, industry and medicine. In this chapter, recent applications of ionic liquids and three separations technology are considered. The coupling of both ionic liquids and separations technology can be used to improve the removal of metals from wastewaters before its final disposal or convenient recycling or even yielding a saleable product.