Novel Crosslinked Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Thermally Cured Epoxy Resin: Synthesis, Structure and Mechanical and Ion Transport Properties

Daniil Golubenko, Farah Ejaz Ahmed, Nidal Hilal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Limitations in existing anion exchange membranes deter their use in the efficient treatment of industrial wastewater effluent. This work presents an approach to fabricating novel anion-conducting membranes using epoxy resin monomers like hydrophobic or hydrophilic diglycidyl ether and quaternized polyethyleneimine (PEI). Manipulating the diglycidyl ether nature, the quantitative composition of the copolymer and the conditions of quaternization allows control of the physicochemical properties of the membranes, including water uptake (20.0–330%), ion exchange capacity (1.5–3.7 mmol/g), ionic conductivity (0.2–17 mS/cm in the Cl form at 20 °C), potentiostatic transport numbers (75–97%), as well as mechanical properties. A relationship was established between copolymer structure and conductivity/selectivity trade-off. The higher the quaternized polyethyleneimine, diluent fraction, and hydrophilicity of diglycidyl ether, the higher the conductivity and the lower the permselectivity. Hydrophobic diglycidyl ether gives a much better conductivity/selectivity ratio since it provides a lower degree of hydration than hydrophilic diglycidyl ether. Different mesh and non-woven reinforcing materials were also examined.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number138
JournalMembranes
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2024

Keywords

  • anion-exchange membranes
  • diffusion dialysis
  • electrodialysis
  • epoxy resin
  • thermal curing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Filtration and Separation

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