Experimental characterization of polymeric membranes for selective ion transport

Publication date: June 2020Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Volume 28Author(s): Geoffrey M GeiseIon selective separations are becoming increasingly important in many water and energy applications. Ion exchange membranes could address these separation challenges, but advanced understanding of the structure-property relationships that connect polymer chemistry and membrane morphology to selectivity properties is needed. Membrane-based ion separations can be driven by concentration or electric field driving forces, and selectivity is generally defined as counter-ion to counter-ion selectivity or counter-ion to co-ion selectivity. Characterization techniques depend on the definition of selectivity of interest. This review discusses those definitions of selectivity and the methods used to characterize ion selectivity in membranes. Additionally, need for additional data, opportunities for high throughput analysis, and opportunities for connecting molecular simulations with experimental data are discussed.

Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering - February 20, 2020 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research