Fabrication and electrochemical characterization of PVC based electrodialysis heterogeneous ion exchange membranes filled with Fe3O4 nanoparticles

In this research, novel polyvinylchloride based electrodialysis heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by casting technique. Iron oxide nanoparticle was also employed as additive in membrane fabrication. The effect of additive concentration on electrochemical properties of homemade membranes was studied. SOM images showed uniform particles distribution and relatively uniform surfaces for the membranes. Membrane water content and ion exchange capacity were increased initially by increase in additive loading ratio to 2%wt and then showed decreasing trend by higher additive content to 8%wt. Membrane potential, permselectivity and transport number all were enhanced with increase of additive content in sodium and barium chloride ionic solutions. They showed different behaviors for the membranes in lead nitrate ionic solution. Membranes exhibited lower potential, selectivity and transport number for bivalent ions compared to monovalent ones. Permeability and flux were enhanced initially in sodium and barium chloride ionic solutions by increase in additive content up to 2%wt and then began to decrease by more additive loading. The electrodialysis experiment results showed that dialytic rate of lead ions removal was increased obviously by increase of additive concentration. Modified membranes showed better electrochemical properties compared to pristine one.