We synthesized the zwitterionic polysulfobetaine, which has upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behaviors, via conventional free radical polymerization in order to confirm its suitability as a osmotic agent for the forward osmosis process. The forward osmosis and recovery properties of zwitterionic polysulfobetaine were systematically studied. The UCST behaviors of the monomer sulfobetaine were not confirmed, while the UCST of polysulfobetaine was observed to be about 40 <sup>o</sup>C. These results suggest that zwitterionic polysulfobetaine can be easily reused from permeated solution by cooling them to below the UCST. In an active layer facing feed solution system containing 20 wt% zwitterionic polysulfobetaine at a temperature of 50 <sup>o</sup>C, the water flux and reverse solute flux of polysulfobetaine were found to be approximately 3.22 LMH and 0.36 gMH, respectively. Therefore, we investigated the suitability of homopolymer systems having UCST characteristics as osmotic agents for the forward osmosis process for the first time.

Polymeric materials having upper critical solution temperature characteristics as osmotic agents for forward osmosis process

256th National Meeting (2018)

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