Abstract
“Ionic diode” (or current rectification) effects are potentially important for a range of applications including water purification. In this preliminary report, we observe novel ionic diode behaviour of thin (300nm) membranes based on a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-EA-TB) supported on a poly-ethylene-terephthalate (PET) film with a 20μm diameter microhole, and immersed in aqueous electrolyte media. Current rectification effects are observed for half-cells with the same electrolyte solution on both sides of the membrane for cases where cation and anion mobility differ (HCl, other acids, NaOH, etc.) but not for cases where cation and anion mobility are more alike (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, etc.). A pH-dependent reversal of the ionic diode effect is observed and discussed in terms of tentatively assigned mechanisms based on both (i) ion mobility within the PIM-EA-TB nano-membrane and (ii) a possible “mechanical valve effect” linked to membrane potential and electrokinetic movement of the membrane as well as hydrostatic pressure effects.
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