The amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) [C(3)mim][Gly] (1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine) and [C(4)mim] [Gly] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine) have been prepared by the neutralization method and characterized by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The values of their density, surface tension and refractive index were measured at different temperatures. Since the AAILs can form strong hydrogen bonds with water, small amounts of water are difficult to remove from the AAILs by common methods. In order to eliminate the effect of the impurity as water, the standard addition method (SAM) was applied to these measurements. The values of thermal expansion coefficients, alpha, surface excess energy, E-a, surface excess entropy, S-a, and molar refraction, Rm, for the AAILs were determined. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.