Electrodeposition modification of heterogeneous cation exchange membrane using expanded polystyrene waste: Enhanced electrochemical properties and electrodialytic performance

Abstract

In this study, surface modification of a cation exchange membrane based on polyvinyl chloride was accomplished via electrochemical deposition of post-sulfonated waste-expanded polystyrene aiming to enhance its electrochemical properties and electrodialytic performance. The membrane was synthesized by the phase inversion method, modified with different concentrations of polyelectrolyte, characterized by FTIR and SEM analyses, and applied for electrodialytic desalination of NaCl solution. Deposition of sulfonated polystyrene with polyelectrolyte concentration of 2 g/l, current of 8 mA/cm2, and period time of 30 min caused a reduction in electrical resistance up to 52 %. Furthermore, the sodium ionic flux through electrodialytic desalination was improved by 58 % as a result of the promotion of the electrochemical properties of the membrane.

Keywords

• Electrochemical deposition
• Heterogeneous cation exchange membrane
• Electrodialytic Desalination