Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

Abstract

Membrane Applications of Polyaniline based Nano-composite Ion-exchanger and its Electrochemical Properties for Desalination

Khan MA, Arsalan M and Khan MR

A novel polyaniline based composite ion-exchange membrane of Sn(IV) silicophosphate (TSP) was synthesized by inorganic TSP nanoparticles and the organic polymer matrix by sol-gel method. Physical and electrochemical properties of the composite membrane were investigated in order to evaluate their key parameters as electromembrane candidates in their application in electrodialysis water purification. The results revealed that incorporation of TSP enhanced the properties of the ion-exchange membranes with influence of their thermal and mechanical properties. Membranes were found to have the optimal properties, with good water uptake, ionexchange capacity (IEC = 1.40 meqg-1), transport properties and excellent permselectivity. Membrane potential measurements have been carried out in different electrolytes such as KCl (aq), NaCl (aq) and LiCl (aq) at different concentrations to figure out the correlation between effective fixed charge density and transport properties of the membrane. The study reveals that the inorganic-organic nanocomposite membrane shows higher cation-selectivity towards K+ ion. The effective fixed charge densities were found to follow the order K+ > Na+> Li+. This newlydeveloped membrane can be considered as excellent candidates suitable for water desalination by Electrodialysis