Synthesis, surface characterization and electrochemical properties of PVC-based cerium(IV) sulphate ion exchange composite membrane

Abstract

The characterization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based cerium(IV) sulphate (CS) composite membrane was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite membrane with 0.175 g PVC and 0.375 g CS proves good chemical, mechanical and thermal stabilities as well as ion exchange capacity. The Teorell, Meyer and Sievers (TMS) method was used to determine the electrochemical parameters such as transport number, mobility ratio and surface charge density of the membrane. The mobility ratio of various univalent electrolytes depends on the electrolyte concentration and follows the decreasing order LiCl > NaCl > KCl. This membrane may be used for treatment of food industry wastewater as well as desalination of sea and brackish waters.