Synthesis and electrochemical behavior of ceramic cation-exchange membranes based on zirconium phosphate

Cation-exchange membranes made exclusively from ceramic materials have been synthesized by means of the impregnation of microporous ceramic supports with zirconium phosphate. Changes in the pore size distribution and total pore volume of the supports were provoked by the addition of starch as pore former in the fabrication procedure. This allowed the production of supports with increased effective electrical conductivities and with larger pores available for the zirconium phosphate deposition. An improved functionality for the exchange of cations was given to the ceramic membranes by means of their impregnation with the active particles of zirconium phosphate. The ion-exchange properties of the membranes were increased with further impregnation cycles and the resulting current–voltage curves showed a similar shape to that typical of commercial polymeric ion-exchange membranes. The production of ion-exchange membranes with increased chemical and radiation stability will broaden their applicability for the treatment of specific industrial waste waters, which are very aggressive for the current commercial ion-exchange membranes.