Greening industrial applications with magnetic-based deep eutectic solvents: A promising future

Abstract

The field of green technology is evolving rapidly to address new industrial challenges, and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as a potential alternative to traditional organic compounds and ionic liquids. Among their main classes, magnetic DESs (MagDESs) have gained significant attention due to their unique magnetic properties resulting from the presence of magnetic ions in the solvent. The unique magnetic properties of MagDESs, combined with their stability and compatibility, make them suitable for various applications, including magnetic separation and purification. The ease of separation of MagDESs from their respective mixtures via the application of an external magnetic field distinguishes them as a desirable solution, enabling quick extraction and easy collection without centrifugation. Moreover, DESs can serve to endow magnetic materials with new functionalities for a wide range of applications. Utilizing DESs enables the functionalization of magnetic materials without the use of volatile organic solvents or extended processing periods. MagDESs are expected to be used in the extraction of various compounds, but there are some limitations that must be considered, such as compatibility issues, recovery difficulty, and also long-term stability and sustainability of MagDESs in different environments and applications. Further research and development are necessary to fully understand and optimize the benefits and limitations of MagDESs.