ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Preparation and basic characterization of heterogeneous weak acid cation exchange membrane

Eliška Stránská, Kristýna Weinertová, David Neděla, and Jan Křivčík

MemBrain s.r.o., Stráž pod Ralskem, Czech Republic

E-mail: eliska.stranska@membrain.cz

Abstract: The goal of this article is focused on the preparation and the basic characterization of heterogeneous weak acid cation exchange membranes. The six weak cation exchange resins were chosen for the preparation of the membranes. The strong acid cation exchange membrane was prepared for the comparison of properties and preparation parameters. Heterogeneous membranes were prepared in the several steps. The last operations were the extrusion and hydraulic hot-pressing. The torque and pressure in the extrusion head were observed while the extrusion of heterogeneous membranes. According to the type of the ion exchange resin, parameters varied greatly. The strong acid cation exchange membrane and weak acid cation exchange membranes with carboxylic groups had the lowest values of the torque and pressure while the homogenization and extrusion. All membranes were characterized. Electrochemical (permselectivity, ion exchange capacity, resistance), physical (relative water content, swelling in the different solutions), and mechanical properties were measured. Properties varied distinctly according to the type of the ion exchange resins. Swelling dimensional changes of ion exchange membranes in sodium hydroxide and water were bigger than changes in hydrochloric acid. Ion exchange capacity of membranes related with ion exchange capacity of used ion exchange resins. Weak acid cation exchange membranes with carboxylic functional groups compared to the strong membrane had the best specific and areal resistance.

Keywords: Weak acid cation exchange membrane ; Heterogeneous membrane ; Hot-pressing ; Characterization of membrane 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-017-0260-2

Chemical Papers 72 (1) 89–98 (2018)