Physicochemical Properties of SiO2/PVDF Ion-Exchange Membranes

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)-SiO₂ anion-exchange membranes was prepared by blending method with the avoidance of chloromethylation. Various membranes were prepared with different content of SiO₂ nanoparticles. These membranes were extensively characterized for their surface morphology, thermal stability, tensile properties, water content and permselectivity property using SEM, TGA, water uptake and ion exchange capacity measurements. It was found that physicochemical properties of the PVDF/SiO₂ membranes were found to be highly dependent on the SiO₂ nanoparticles content in the membrane matrix.