Preparation of Highly Tough Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Heterogeneous Cation Exchange Membranes and Their Properties of Desalination

Abstract

A manufacturing method has been devised to prepare novel heterogeneous cation exchange membranes by mixing ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers with a commercial cation exchange resin. Optimum material characteristics, mixture ratios and manufacturing conditions have been worked out for achieving favorable membrane performance. Ion exchange capacity, electrical resistance, water uptake, swelling ratio and tensile strength properties were measured. SEM analysis was used to monitor morphology. Effects of vinyl acetate (VA) content, melt index (MI) and ion exchange resin content on properties of heterogeneous cation exchange membranes have been discussed. An application test was carried out by mounting a selected membrane in a membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) system to investigate its desalination capability. 0.92 meq/g of ion exchange capacity, 8.7 Ω.㎠ of electrical resistance, 40 kgf/ ㎠ of tensile strength, 19% of swelling ratio, 42% of water uptake, and 56.4% salt removal rate were achieved at best. VA content plays a leading role on the extent of physical properties and performance; however, MI is important for having uniform distribution of resin grains and achieving better ionic conductivity. Overall, manufacturing cost has been suppressed to 5-10% of that of homogeneous ion exchange membranes.