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The concentration dependences of the electrolyte sorption, specific electric conductivity, and diffusion permeability of MK-40 and Nafion-117 cation-Ion-exchange membranes in NaCl solutions have been obtained experimentally. Both the membranes contain macropores. The heterogeneous MK-40 membrane contains pores with a size of up to 1 μm between the particles of the ion Ion-exchange resin and polyethylene. The homogeneous Nafion-117 membrane has been subjected to a special thermal pretreatment which results in the formation of macropores. It has been shown for the first time that these experimentally found relationships can be quantitatively described using one set of structural and kinetic parameters of the microheterogeneous model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of organic colloidal particles in the pores and on the surface (fouling) of membranes used in the food industry is a significant constraint on the further development of membrane technology. A model to describe the effect of these particles on electric conductivity and diffusion permeability has been proposed. It is based on a microheterogeneous two-phase model constructed in terms of the concepts of nonequilibrium thermodynamics and effective medium theory. The model takes into account the presence of two phases: (i) the gel phase comprising a polymer matrix and fixed ions whose charge is compensated for by mobile ions and (ii) the electrically neutral solution filling the intergel spaces. Each of the phases is characterized by intrinsic thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. The model takes into account changes in the values of these parameters caused by the formation of organic nanoparticles in meso- and macropores (fouling). It is assumed that the formation of colloidal particles in the intergel solution leads to a decrease in the ion mobility. In addition, these particles are capable of deprotonating a portion of the fixed ions and thereby decreasing the exchange capacity of the membrane. A high degree of hydration of these particles is responsible for an increase in the volume fraction of intergel spaces. Selection of relevant model parameters provides good agreement between calculation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]