A series of amine-functionalized imidazolium cation-based ionic liquids (ILs) with different anions were synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, MS-ESI, FUR, and EA. The ILs were investigated as potential absorbents for CO2 capture. The effects of replacing the anion with a corresponding cation were studied. The absorption capacities of the ILs for CO2 were investigated at 30 degrees C and 50 degrees C at ambient pressures (0-1.6 bar). Amine-functionalized ILs displayed high absorption capacities toward CO2. The CO2 absorption capacities of the ILs increased with increasing pressure and decreased with increasing temperature. The results showed that the absorption capacities reached 0.45 mol CO2 per mol of IL at 30 degrees C. The most probable mechanism underlying the interactions between CO2 and the ILs was investigated using FTIR and C-13 NMR, and the results showed that the absorption of CO2 in the amine-functionalized Its could be described as a chemical process. The CO2 absorption results and detailed study indicated the predominance of a 1:2 mechanism, whereby the CO2 reacted with two IL molecules to form a carbamate group. The CO2 absorption capacity of the ILs toward each anion followed the trend: BF4- < DCA(-) < PF6- < TfO- < Tf2N-. The as-synthesized ILs were selective, thermally stable, provided long-lived operational stability, could be recycled at 70 degrees C or under vacuum conditions, and could be used repeatedly. (C)2 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.