1. Characterization of poly(acrylic) acid-modified heterogenous anion exchange membranes with improved monovalent permselectivity for RED
- Author
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Carla A.M. Portugal, Svetlozar Velizarov, João G. Crespo, Ivan Merino-Garcia, Francis Kotoka, Universidad de Cantabria, LAQV@REQUIMTE, and DQ - Departamento de Química
- Subjects
Filtration and Separation ,02 engineering and technology ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,Article ,Contact angle ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Monovalent permselective membranes ,020401 chemical engineering ,Reverse electrodialysis ,Reversed electrodialysis ,Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous) ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,0204 chemical engineering ,lcsh:Chemical engineering ,Acrylic acid ,Aqueous solution ,Fouling ,Ion exchange ,Process Chemistry and Technology ,lcsh:TP155-156 ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Anion exchange membranes ,Membrane ,Chemical engineering ,chemistry ,Surface modification ,0210 nano-technology ,Antifouling strategies ,Poly(acrylic) acid modification - Abstract
The performance of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) in Reverse Electrodialysis is hampered by both presence of multivalent ions and fouling phenomena, thus leading to reduced net power density. Therefore, we propose a monolayer surface modification procedure to functionalize Ralex-AEMs with poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) in order to (i) render a monovalent permselectivity, and (ii) minimize organic fouling. Membrane surface modification was carried out by putting heterogeneous AEMs in contact with a PAA-based aqueous solution for 24 h. The resulting modified membranes were firstly characterized by contact angle, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, fixed charge density, and swelling degree measurements, whereas their electrochemical responses were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry. Besides, their membrane electro-resistance was also studied via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses. Finally, membrane permselectivity and fouling behavior in the presence of humic acid were evaluated through mass transport experiments using model NaCl containing solutions. The use of modified PAA-AEMs resulted in a significantly enhanced monovalent permselectivity (sulfate rejection improved by >, 35%) and membrane hydrophilicity (contact angle decreased by >, 15%) in comparison with the behavior of unmodified Ralex-AEMs, without compromising the membrane electro-resistance after modification, thus demonstrating the technical feasibility of the proposed membrane modification procedure. This study may therefore provide a feasible way for achieving an improved Reverse Electrodialysis process efficiency.
- Published
- 2020