Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl chloride/styrene butadiene rubber blend heterogeneous cation exchange membrane modified by potassium perchlorate

• Published in: Desalination 2011-09, Vol.279 (1), p.306-314
• Main Authors: Hosseini, S.M., Madaeni, S.S., Heidari, A.R., Moghadassi, A.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: additive effect; Additives; Applied sciences; Blending; Blends; cation exchange; Cation exchanging; Characterization; Chemical engineering; desalination; electrical resistance; Exact sciences and technology; Heterogeneous cation exchange membrane; Ion exchange; membrane potential; Membrane preparation; Membranes; permeability; physicochemical properties; Pollution; poly(vinyl chloride); Polyvinyl chlorides; potassium; Potassium perchlorate; Potassium perchlorates; Resins; rubber; styrene; water content
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2011.06.022

In the current research, polyvinylchloride (PVC)/styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR) blend heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique using tetrahydrofuran as solvent and cation exchange resin powder as functional groups agent. Potassium perchlorate was also employed as an additive in membrane fabrication. The effect of additive concentration in the casting solution on physico-chemical properties of home-made membranes was studied. Sonication was used to help in appropriate dispersion of particles in the membranes matrix. SEM images showed uniform particles distribution and also relatively uniform surfaces for the membranes. Moreover, images revealed that addition of KClO 4 in the casting solution led to an improvement in resin particles distribution in the membranes matrix. The increase of KClO 4 loading in casting solution caused the increase of membranes water content. The ion exchange capacity, membrane potential, permselectivity and transport number of the membranes all were increased initially by the increase of additive concentration up to 8 wt.% and then they showed decreasing trend with higher additive content. Conversely, the ionic permeability and flux showed opposite trends. The areal electrical resistance of the membranes was initially enhanced with increase in additive concentration to 16 wt.% and then it began to decrease by more additive loading. ► The effect of KClO 4 on properties of ion-exchange membrane was studied. ► Increase of additive loading led to improvement in resin particles distribution. ► Additive particles led to narrow ionic channels formation in membrane matrix. ► The membrane selectivity was increased by additive increasing and then decreased. ► Treated membrane with 8 wt.% KClO 4 showed better selectivity compared to others.