Experimental study and thermodynamical modelling of the solubilities of SO 2 , H 2 S and CO 2 in N-dodecylimidazole and 1,1′-[oxybis(2,1-ethanediyloxy-2,1-ethanediyl)]bis(imidazole): An evaluation of their potential application in the separation of acidic gases

•Low-volatile and long-chain N-substituted imidazoles were investigated for the absorption of acidic gases.•The solubilities of SO2, H2S and CO2 under different temperatures and pressures were reported.•The solubility data were correlated with thermodynamic models to calculate thermodynamic parameters.•The absorption performance were compared with other organic solvents and ionic liquids.•The functionalization of organic solvents is another way to design efficient solvents for the selective separation of acidic gases.