Effect of two imidazole ionic liquids on the thermal stability of cumene hydroperoxide

Organic peroxides combined with ionic liquids had a high application value in the desulfurization process. However, thermal stability between organic peroxides and ionic liquids displayed a significant difference. Moreover, it was of great significance to investigate the thermal hazard of organic peroxides due to the influence of ionic liquids. In this study, a common organic peroxide cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and two imidazole ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([Bmim]BF 4 and Bmim[NTf 2 ]), with good desulfurization performance were selected for experiments. The thermal stability of [Bmim]BF 4 and Bmim[NTf 2 ], respectively, mixed with cumene hydroperoxide in air and nitrogen conditions was studied by thermogravimetry (TG) analysis. The kinetic data of CHP which was mixed with two ionic liquids were evaluated using two different isoconversional methods: Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS). Furthermore, their gas decomposition products were investigated by thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) analysis. The experimental and calculated results demonstrated that the apparent activation energy was decreased after CHP was mixed with the two ionic liquids. The main decomposition stage ranged from 350.0 to 480.0 K with a mass loss of CHP under air and nitrogen conditions. The thermal decomposition behavior of the CHP under air conditions displayed higher apparent activation energy compared with that in nitrogen atmosphere. The experimental results provide an important reference for organic peroxides combined with ionic liquids applicated in the desulfurization process.