Separation of azeotropic mixture using a novel hybrid entrainer based on deep eutectic solvents

In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as environmentally friendly distillation entrainers. However, most research has focused on pure DESs, and developing new DESs remains challenging. This process requires significant time to screen suitable hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. This study explores a hybrid approach to enhance the efficacy of single DESs. Using the widely studied ethanol/water azeotropic mixture as a model system, Choline chloride (ChCl):urea (1:2, mol/mol) was selected as the benchmark entrainer. Among the 13 inorganic salts tested, CaCl 2 was chosen as an additive to prepare a hybrid entrainer (5 wt% CaCl 2  + 95 wt% ChCl:urea). Increasing the hybrid entrainer content from 0 to 36.9 wt% resulted in a 270% increase in relative volatility, outperforming pure DESs. This hybrid approach demonstrates potential to reduce ChCl:urea usage by 50%. Vapor-liquid equilibria were determined, with a good fit between experimental and theoretical data using the NRTL model.