Effect of alkyl chain length and temperature on the thermodynamic properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions at different temperatures

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Rmim][Br], R = propyl (C3), hexyl (C6), heptyl (C7), and octyl (C8)) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and experimental measurements of density and speed of sound at different temperatures ranging from (288.15 to 308.15) K for their aqueous and methanolic solutions in the dilute concentration region (0.01 to 0.30) mol · kg−1 were taken. The values of the compressibilities, expansivity and apparent molar properties for [Cnmim][Br] in aqueous and methanolic solutions were determined at the investigated temperatures. The obtained apparent molar volumes and apparent molar isentropic compressibilities were fitted to the Redlich–Mayer and the Pitzer’s equations from which the corresponding infinite dilution molar properties were obtained. The values of the infinite dilution molar properties were used to obtain some information about solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The thermodynamic properties of investigated ionic liquids in aqueous solutions have been compared with those in methanolic solutions. Also, the comparison between thermodynamic properties of investigated solutions and those of electrolyte solutions, polymer solutions, cationic surfactant solutions and tetraalkylammonium salt solutions have been made.