Ion Specific Exchange Membranes in Electrochemical Water Treatment

Ion Specific Exchange Membranes in Electrochemical Water Treatment Kyle Kryger Jim Baygents, Ph. D. Associate Dean, College of Engineering University of Arizona Jim Farrell, Ph. D. Professor, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona

Overview n Background What is electrochemical water treatment? n Why are ion selective membranes needed? n Methods n Results n Next steps n Conclusion & Questions n

Electrochemical Water Treatment Electrochemical Cell Ion Exchange Column Cathode Anode Feed Water

Electrochemical Cell Creation of Acids / Bases n Movement of Ions n H H + H + + + H + C - A+ H A+ + H + O O H- O - H H OO O O- H- H H C - A+ C - H A+ + H + C - A+ C - H + H H H + + + H + H +

Methods n Selection of base membrane Polystyrene/Divinylbenzene n Economics n Mechanical Strength n n Functionalization Image courtesy of Biotage Chlorosulfonic Acid n Permanent Charge n Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Achievements n Base Membrane Chemical Preparation n 64% of pores filled n Established Electrical contact across membrane. n n Functionalization Safe Procedure n Positive Reaction n

Next Steps n Performance of Functionalized Membrane n n Diffusion of Ions / ICP Scaling up manufacturing Process Chemical Handling n Large Scale Production n n Implementation n Impact

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