Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for removing sodium salts from a mixture of sodium salts and a solution of a polyphosphazene polymer represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R and R' may be same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl and sustituted aryl groups and n is from 20 to 50,000, said mixture having been formed by reacting in solution a polydichlorophosphazene polymer represented by the formula --NPCl 2 ) n wherein n is from 20 to 50,000 with an aldoxide or aryloxide represented by the formula NaOR or NaOR' wherein R and R' are defined above; said method comprising the steps of: (a) treating said mixture with an acid to neutralize any excess alkoxide or aryloxide; (b) adding water to the mixture to extract sodium salts therefrom resulting in an at least partial separation of the mixture into a polyphosphazene polymer solution phase and a brine phase comprising water and sodium salts. (c) adding from about 0.1 to about 1.0 parts by weight of a sulfated fatty acid ester of a natural non-petroleum based oil per 100 parts by weight of polyphosphazen polymer solution to the mixture to effect a more complete separation of the polyphosphazene polymer solution phase from the brine phase; and (d) separating the polyphosphazene polymer solution phase from the brine phase.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for removing sodium salts from a mixture of sodium salts and a solution of a polyphosphazene polymer represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R and R' may be same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl and sustituted aryl groups and n is from 20 to 50,000, said mixture having been formed by reacting in solution a polydichlorophosphazene polymer represented by the formula --NPCl 2 ) n wherein n is from 20 to 50,000 with an aldoxide or aryloxide represented by the formula NaOR or NaOR' wherein R and R' are defined above; said method comprising the steps of: (a) treating said mixture with an acid to neutralize any excess alkoxide or aryloxide; (b) adding water to the mixture to extract sodium salts therefrom resulting in an at least partial separation of the mixture into a polyphosphazene polymer solution phase and a brine phase comprising water and sodium salts. (c) adding from about 0.1 to about 1.0 parts by weight of a sulfated fatty acid ester of a natural non-petroleum based oil per 100 parts by weight of polyphosphazen polymer solution to the mixture to effect a more complete separation of the polyphosphazene polymer solution phase from the brine phase; and (d) separating the polyphosphazene polymer solution phase from the brine phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water and sulfated fatty acid ester are added simultaneously to the mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said simultaneous addition is conducted by first adding the sulfated fatty acid ester to the water and then adding the water containing the sulfated fatty acid ester to the mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polyphosphazene polymer is a poly(fluoroalkoxy) phosphazene polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said acid is sulfuric acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said water is added to the mixture in an amount of from about 25 to about 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyphosphazene polymer solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sulfated fatty acid ester is added to the mixture in an amount of 0.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyphosphazene polymer solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sulfated fatty acid ester is a red-amber liquid containing 7.0% by weight of SO 3 , 25% by weight of water, 1.3% by weight of alkali and having a pH of 7.8 in a 2% solution.