Preparation and Characterization of a Bipolar Membrane Modified by Copper Phthalocyanine 16-Carboxylic Acid and Acetyl Ferrocene

Abstract

A bipolar membrane (BPM) of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CS) with superior performance was prepared based on the macromolecules containing metal elements. A carboxymethyl cellulose cation layer was modified by copper phthalocyanine 16-carboxylic acid (CuPc(COOH)16) to improve its ion exchange capacity as well as cation transfer rate and promote water splitting at the intermediate layer. Chitosan was crosslinked with acetyl ferrocene to prepare the anion layer. A casting method was used to prepare the BPM which showed excellent physical and chemical properties after modification. To improve the compatibility of the anion-exchange layer and cation-exchange layer, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was blended with both the CMC and CS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images illustrated a structure that consisted of an anion layer and a cation layer that were closely combined with each other. The swelling results implied a proper hydrophilic performance and good shape stability in an alkali solution ([OH−]≤10 mol·L−1) of the BPM. After modification, the BPM with the metal elements exhibited good thermal stability, as shown by the thermogravimetry (TG) results. Compared with the BPM that was unmodified, both the AC impedance and the working voltage were decreased sharply. Furthermore, the modified BPM exhibited higher ion penetrability which is beneficial for its wide application.