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Thermo-responsive draw solute for forward osmosis process; poly(ionic liquid) having lower critical solution
Changha Ju1, Chanhyuk Park1, Taehyung Kim1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University 37 Nakdong-Daero 550beon-gil, Saha-gu Busan 49315 Republic of Korea hkang@dau.ac.kr +82 51 200 7728 +82 51 200 7720.
RSC Advances
|May 9, 2022
Summary
A novel poly(ionic liquid) with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was synthesized for forward osmosis (FO). This material, poly(4-vinylbenzyltributylammonium hexanesulfonate) (P[VBTBA][HS]), demonstrates efficient water flux and recoverability, showing promise as a draw solute.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Separation Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Forward osmosis (FO) requires efficient draw solutes for water recovery.
- Poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) offer tunable properties for separation applications.
- Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) behavior enables temperature-triggered recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel poly(ionic liquid), poly(4-vinylbenzyltributylammonium hexanesulfonate) (P[VBTBA][HS]), with LCST behavior.
- To evaluate the suitability of P[VBTBA][HS] as a draw solute in the forward osmosis (FO) process.
- To investigate the FO performance and recovery properties of P[VBTBA][HS].
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of P[VBTBA][HS] via anion exchange of poly(4-vinylbenzyltributylammonium chloride) (P[VBTBA][Cl]) with sodium hexanesulfonate.
- Free radical polymerization of (4-vinylbenzyltributylammonium chloride) monomer.
- Investigation of FO performance using an active layer facing the feed solution (AL-FS) system.
- Determination of LCST behavior and recovery efficiency through temperature manipulation.
Main Results:
- P[VBTBA][HS] exhibited an LCST of approximately 17 °C at 20 wt%, enabling temperature-induced recovery.
- The synthesized P[VBTBA][HS] demonstrated a water flux of ~5.85 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and a reverse solute flux of 1.13 g m⁻² h⁻¹ in the AL-FS system.
- No LCST was observed for the precursor P[VBTBA][Cl], highlighting the role of the hexanesulfonate anion.
Conclusions:
- P[VBTBA][HS] is a promising poly(ionic liquid) draw solute for forward osmosis due to its LCST behavior and efficient water transport.
- The temperature-dependent solubility of P[VBTBA][HS] facilitates its recovery from aqueous solutions, enhancing process sustainability.
- This study validates the potential of LCST-functionalized poly(ionic liquids) in advanced separation technologies like FO.
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