An initial study of hexavalent phosphazene salts as draw solutes in forward osmosis

Two novel multi-valent salts based on phosphazene chemistry have been synthesized and characterized as forward osmosis (FO) draw solutes. Commercially obtained hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene was reacted with the sodium salt of 4-ethylhydroxybenzoate to yield hexa(4-ethylcarboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene. Hydrolysis, followed by neutralization with NaOH or LiOH of the resulting acidic moieties yielded water soluble sodium and lithium phosphazene salts, respectively. Degrees of dissociation were determined through osmometry over the range of 0.05–0.5m, giving degrees of 3.08–4.95 per mole, suggesting a high osmotic potential. The Li salt was found to be more ionized in solution than the sodium salt, and this was reflected in FO experiments where the Li salt gave higher initial fluxes (~7l/m2h) as compared to the sodium salt (~6l/m2h) at identical 0.067m draw solution concentrations at 30°C. Longer term experiments revealed no detectable degradation of the salts; however some hydrolysis of the cellulose acetate membrane was observed, presumably due to the pH of the phosphazene salt draw solution (pH=~8). [Display omitted] ► Novel draw solutes based on the phosphazene molecule have been synthesized. ► Formation of sodium and lithium salts has been accomplished. ► Salts were tested against pure water in FO experiments against a CA membrane. ► Salts were found to dissociate giving 3.08 and 4.95 ions per mole. ► Sodium salt has been characterized for solution viscosity.