Preparation and characterization of ABS/HIPS heterogeneous anion exchange membrane filled with activated carbon

Abstract

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/high impact polystyrene (HIPS) blend heterogeneous anion exchange membranes were prepared by phase inversion method using tetrahydrofuran as solvent and anion exchange resin powder as functional group agent. Activated carbon was selected as inorganic filler additive. The additive concentration effect on properties of the prepared membranes was studied. Ultrasonic method was used to help appropriate dispersion of particles in the membrane's matrix. Scanning optical microscopy showed that sonication has a significant influence on distribution of resin particles in the membrane matrix and makes it possible to form more uniform phase. Moreover, images showed a relatively uniform surface for membranes. The increase of activated carbon concentration in casting solution led to a decline in membrane water content. The ion exchange capacity, membrane potential, permselectivity, transport number, ion permeability, ionic flux, and current efficiency of prepared membranes all were increased initially by the increase in additive concentration up to 1% wt and then they showed decrease trend with higher increase in additive concentration from 1 to 4% wt. Conversely, the electrical resistance and energy consumption showed opposite trends. In addition, with more additive loading, the oxidative stability of membranes was slightly decreased and their thermal stability was increased. Membrane with 1% wt additive loading exhibited higher efficiency and electrochemical properties in comparison with other prepared membranes in this research. Furthermore, prepared membranes exhibited suitable electrochemical properties compared to a commercial heterogeneous anion exchange membrane with the same experimental conditions.

Synthesis and characterisation of superhydrophilic conductive heterogeneous PANI/PVDF anion-exchange membranes

“…The potential difference across the membrane (E measure ) was measured by a Biologic-VSP potentiostat connected to Ag/AgCl reference electrodes.. This membrane potential can be expressed by the following Nernst equation [17,21,22,23]:…”

“…The membrane sample was then removed and the electrical resistance (R 2 ) was measured again. The membrane electrical resistance (R m ) can be calculated as follows: R m = R 1 -R 2 [21,23]. Based on the electrical resistance measurements, through-plane conductivity (σ, S•cm-1) and area resistance (Ω•cm 2 ) can be calculated from the following equation [23,24]:…”

Improving ion-exchange membrane properties by the role of nanoparticles

“…The introduction of additive into membrane solution or the additive blending method is a simple method for improving membrane characteristics. Additive blending has been used in many works to introduce inorganic particles into IEM [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. In this method, nanoparticles are blended with a polymer and solvent.…”

Investigation of Electrochemical and Morphological Properties of Mixed Matrix Polysulfone-Silica Anion Exchange Membrane

“…Recently, organic-inorganic materials have attracted growing interest from researchers because a combination of both materials results in better properties. Activated carbon [5], carbon nano-tubes [6], sulfonated mesoporous silica [1], silica [7], and ironnickel oxide [8] are examples of inorganic materials that have been used as filler for the IEM matrix. The functions of inorganic fillers are to maintain water uptake, increase ion-exchange capacity and conductivity while retaining good mechanical and chemical stability [9].…”