Thermal stability limits of imidazolium, piperidinium, pyridinium, and pyrrolidinium ionic liquids immobilized on metal oxides

•Twenty-nine different ionic liquids (ILs) were immobilized on MgO and SiO2.•Thermal stability limits of bulk ILs and supported ILs were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).•Most dominant factor controlling thermal stability of bulk ILs and supported ILs was anion type.•Basicity of the anion and surface acidity of the metal oxide affect thermal stability limits.•Structural factors influencing the thermal stability limits of ILs on metal oxides were evaluated.