Queen's University at Kingston

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Greencentre Canada

Other

University of California

Philip G Jessop

Michael F Cunningham

Rui Resendes

Charles L Liotta

Charles A Eckert

David J Heldebrant

Timothy James Clark

Brian Ernest Mariampillai

Dominik Wechsler

Sean M Mercer

Tobias Robert

R Stephen Brown

Michael Cunningham

Lam N Phan

Andrew J Carrier

Charles Howard Honeyman

Adam Michael Ozvald

Yun Yang

Kyle J Boniface

Amy Marie Holland

Bhanu Prakash Mudraboyina

Lam Ngoc Phan

Resendes Rui,

A method and system for reversibly converting water between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, using a switchable additive, is described. The disclosed method and system can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions. Following extraction of a solute from a medium by dissolving it in water, the solute can then be isolated from the aqueous solution or 'salted-out' by converting the water to a solution having an increased ionic strength. The solute then separates from the increased ionic strength solution as a separate phase. Once the solute is, for example, decanted off, the increased ionic strength aqueous solution can be converted back to water having its original ionic strength and reused. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with CO, CSor COS. Switching from higher to lower ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with air, heating, agitating, introducing a vacuum or partial vacuum, or any combination or thereof.

Water with switchable ionic strength

The present application provides switchable, homogeneous paint composition and methods of painting and/or forming films or coatings using the composition. The composition includes a liquid having an aqueous solution and dissolved acid gas (e.g., carbonated water), and a switchable polymer. The switchable polymer converts from a protonated, water-soluble form in the liquid to a water-insoluble unprotonated form following removal or substantial removal of the liquid and acid gas.

Switchable water-based paint or coating compositions

Methods and systems for use of switchable water, which is capable of reversibly switching between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, is described. The disclosed methods and systems can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions, desalination, clay settling, viscosity switching, etc. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with C0, CSor COS or treatment with Bronsted acids. Switching from higher to lower ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with air, inert gas, heating, agitating, introducing a vacuum or partial vacuum, or any combination or thereof.

Systems and methods for use of water with switchable ionic strength

The present application provides a composite material that comprises a solid and solid-supported non-polymeric switchable moiety, wherein the switchable moiety comprises a functional group that is switchable between a first form and a second form, said first form being neutral and hydrophobic, and said second form being ionized and hydrophilic. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said second form when the switchable moiety is exposed to COat amounts sufficient to maintain the ionized form. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said first form when COis removed or reduced to an amount insufficient to maintain the ionized form. COis removed or reduced by exposing the composite material to heat and/or a flushing inert gas such as N, Ar, or air. Envisioned uses of these composite materials includes removing water from non-aqueous solvents, removing water vapor from gaseous mixtures, and cleaning industrial reaction vessels and/or pipelines.

Switchable materials, methods and uses thereof

A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Switchable hydrophilicity solvents and methods of use thereof

A solvent that reversibly converts from a nonionic liquid mixture to an ionic liquid upon contact with a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO, is described. In preferred embodiments, the ionic solvent is readily converted back to the nonionic liquid mixture. The nonionic liquid mixture includes an amidine or guanidine or both, and water, alcohol, or a combination thereof. Single component amine solvents that reversibly convert between ionic and non-ionic states are also described. Some embodiments require increased pressure to convert; others convert at 1 atmosphere.

Switchable solvents and methods of use thereof

Reversible switchable surfactants are provided. A surfactant is the salt of an amidine or guanidine: having at least one R group that is a hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic moiety, higher siloxyl moiety, higher aliphatic/siloxyl moiety, aliphatic/aryl moiety, siloxyl/aryl moiety, and aliphatic/siloxyl/aryl moiety. The other R groups are smaller moieties such as H, Cto Caliphatic or the like. The surfactant is turned on by a gas that liberates hydrogen ions, such as, for example, carbon dioxide, which liberates hydrogen ions in the presence of water. The surfactant is turned off by exposure to a flushing gas and/or heating. When 'on' the surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions, and when 'off' they are useful to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid. The surfactants find uses in polymerization and in the oil industry.

Reversibly switchable surfactants and methods of use thereof

Methods of enhancing the solubility of a fluorinated compound in an organic solvent are provided. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide gas pressure is applied to the solvent at a pressure effective to enhance the solubility of the fluorinated compound. The method may further include recrystallizing the fluorinated compound by reducing the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. Also provided are methods of conducting a reaction using a fluorinated compound in an organic solvent. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying carbon dioxide pressure to an organic solvent comprising at least one substrate and a fluorinated catalyst, in an effective amount to solubilize the catalyst; and permitting the fluorinated catalyst to catalyze the reaction of the substrate to form a product. The catalyst is optionally separated from the reaction product and solvent after the reaction by the release of the pressure.

Methods for solubilizing and recovering fluorinated compounds

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Kingston, Canada

Philip G Jessop