The potential of monocationic imidazolium-, phosphonium-, and ammonium-based hydrophilic ionic liquids as draw solutes for forward osmosis

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Desalination, 2018, 444 pp. 94 - 106
Issue Date:
2018-10-15
Filename Description Size
2018_Hana_Desal_The potential of monocationic imidazolium.pdfPublished Version4.63 MB
Adobe PDF
Full metadata record
© 2018 The widespread implementation of forward osmosis (FO) is highly constrained by the limited availability of suitable draw solutes (DS). Herein, monocationic hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs) were probed as FO DS. Water (Jv), reverse solute (Js), and specific reverse solute (Js/Jv) fluxes were determined and correlated with IL properties: Van't Hoff factor (i), ionic strength, hydrated ionic radius (rH), diffusivity and membrane affinity. Most of the ILs have comparable Jv with the benchmark draw solute NaCl but their Js were significantly lower, particularly under PRO mode. Their remarkably lower Js/Jv (i.e. <0.010 ± 7.45 × 10−4 mol L−1) than NaCl (0.021 ± 0.003 mol L−1) validates their potential use as FO DS. Tetraethylammonium bromide ([N2222]Br) is the most suitable IL DS due to its high π high ionic strength, small rH, least membrane permeability (B = 0.14 L m−2 h−1) and lowest Js/Jv = 0.004 ± 5.53 × 10−4 mol L−1. Moreover, [N2222]Br effectively desalinated seawater (0.6 M NaCl). It is thermally stable and can be effectively regenerated through direct contact membrane distillation. The final permeated water had only trace [N2222]Br, which is safe for consumption as confirmed by in vitro toxicity tests. These results demonstrate that certain ILs like [N2222]Br can be identified as suitable draw solutes for FO desalination process.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: