Ultrathin Sicopion composite cation-exchange membranes: Characteristics and electrodialytic performance following a conditioning procedure

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the properties of Sicopion membranes: an ultrathin (20m) composite cation-exchange membrane (CEM) made from sulphonated poly(ether-ether-ketone) (SPEEK) containing different levels of sulphonic-functionalized silica particles (SFSPs). Sicopion membranes were conditioned according to the French Normalization Association procedure, consisting in a series of acid and alkaline washes, and their electrodialytic characteristics were compared to an existent commercial food-grade membrane (CMX-SB). Electrical conductivity of Sicopion membranes was higher than that of CMX-SB membranes (9.92 versus 6.98mS/cm), as well as their water content (34.0 versus 27.6%). As the SFSP level was reduced, the ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of Sicopion membranes increased. Concerning their electrodialytic performances, Sicopion membranes presented a lower demineralization rate than CMX-SB membranes (35.9 versus 45.5%), due to an OH() leakage through the pores created by dislodging the SFSP particles during the conditioning procedure. © Copyright 2012 Erik Ayala-Bribiesca et al.