Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 15189

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
Interests: ion exchange membranes (monopoler, bipoler) and processes (electrodialysis, dialisis, etc.); transport phenomena in systems with ion exchange membranes (IEMs); concentration polarization, limiting current, coupled phenomena of concentration polarization (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitation convection, etc.); chemical reactions coupled with ions transfer in ampholyte (phosphates, ammonium, aminoacids, proteins, etc.) contaning IEM systems; IEMs fouling; IEM modification; IEM characterization (specific electrical conductivity, diffusion permeability, perselectivity, transport numbers, structure–properties relationship, current–voltage characteristics, chronopotentiommetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, mass transfer characteristics, etc.); experimental techniques development for IEM and membrane system investigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physical Chemistry Department, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya str., 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
Interests: ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and electrodialysis processes; transport phenomena in systems with IEMs; concentration polarization; limiting current; coupled phenomena of concentration polarization (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitation convection, etc.); hydrodynamics; mathematical modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the continuation of the previous one recently published in Membranes with the same title "(Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes (Volume III)" https://www.mdpi.com/journal/membranes/special_issues/ion_exchange_membr_III).

Ion exchange membranes and processes related to their use are very attractive for the development of low reagent and environmentally friendly technologies for purification, separation, and concentration of various substances.

The aim of this Special Issue is to obtain a holistic picture of the latest advances in the synthesis of new ion exchange materials, the modification of known and experimental ion exchange membranes, the experimental and theoretical study of their characteristics, and the use of these membranes in various processes.

The scope of the Special Issue include but not limited to:

  • Commercial, experimental, and modified ion exchange membranes (monopolar, bipolar, mosaic, composite, multilayer; organic, inorganic; homogeneous, heterogeneous, etc.);
  • Their transport characteristics and structure–property relationships;
  • The concentration polarization and coupled phenomena (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitational convection, etc.) that occur when an electric field is applied;
  • The behavior of ion exchange membranes in various processes (dialysis, electrodialysis, electrolysis, capacitive deionization, fuel cells, microfluidic devices, bioreactors, potentiometric sensors, etc.);
  • Ion exchange membrane fouling, scaling and ways to counter these phenomena;
  • New methods of studying the properties of ion exchange membranes and membrane systems;
  • New areas for the application of ion exchange membranes.

Prof. Dr. Natalia Pismenskaya
Dr. Semyon Mareev
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 10727 KiB  
Article
Anion Exchange Membrane with Pendulous Piperidinium on Twisted All-Carbon Backbone for Fuel Cell
by Huaqing Zhang, Wanjie Song, Lixuan Sun, Cui Yang, Xin Zhang, Mingyue Wu, Liang Wu, Xiaolin Ge and Tongwen Xu
Membranes 2024, 14(6), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14060121 - 23 May 2024
Viewed by 1295
Abstract
As a central component for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), the anion exchange membrane is now facing the challenge of further improving its conductivity and alkali stability. Herein, a twisted all-carbon backbone is designed by introducing stereo-contorted units with piperidinium groups dangled [...] Read more.
As a central component for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), the anion exchange membrane is now facing the challenge of further improving its conductivity and alkali stability. Herein, a twisted all-carbon backbone is designed by introducing stereo-contorted units with piperidinium groups dangled at the twisted sites. The rigid and twisted backbone improves the conduction of hydroxide and brings down the squeezing effect of the backbone on piperidine rings. Accordingly, an anion exchange membrane prepared through this method exhibits adapted OH conductivity, low swelling ratio and excellent alkali stability, even in high alkali concentrations. Further, a fuel cell assembled with a such-prepared membrane can reach a power density of 904.2 mW/cm2 and be capable of continuous operation for over 50 h. These results demonstrate that the designed membrane has good potential for applications in AEMFCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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16 pages, 1850 KiB  
Article
Nisin Purification from a Cell-Free Supernatant by Electrodialysis in a Circular Economy Framework
by Alexandre Rulence, Véronique Perreault, Jacinthe Thibodeau, Loubna Firdaous, Ismail Fliss and Laurent Bazinet
Membranes 2024, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14010002 - 21 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2241
Abstract
Nisin, an antimicrobial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis strains, is a promising natural preservative for the food industry and an alternative to antibiotics for the pharmaceutical industry against Gram-positive bacteria. Nisin purification is commonly performed using salting out and chromatographic techniques, which are [...] Read more.
Nisin, an antimicrobial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis strains, is a promising natural preservative for the food industry and an alternative to antibiotics for the pharmaceutical industry against Gram-positive bacteria. Nisin purification is commonly performed using salting out and chromatographic techniques, which are characterized by their low yields, the use of solvents and the production of large volumes of effluents. In the present work, the purification of nisin from a cell-free supernatant (CFS), after the production of nisin by fermentation on a whey permeate medium, was studied using ammonium sulfate precipitation and electrodialysis (ED) as a promising eco-friendly process for nisin purification. Results showed an increase in nisin precipitation using a 40% ammonium sulfate saturation (ASS) level with a purification fold of 73.8 compared with 34.5 and no purification fold for a 60% and 20% ASS level, respectively. The results regarding nisin purification using ED showed an increase in nisin purification and concentration fold, respectively, of 21.8 and 156 when comparing the final product to the initial CFS. Nisin-specific activity increased from 75.9 ± 4.4 to 1652.7 ± 236.8 AU/mg of protein. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of ED coupled with salting out for nisin purification compared with common techniques. Furthermore, the process was noteworthy for its relevance in a circular economy scheme, as it does not require any solvents and avoids generating polluting effluents. It can be employed for the purification of nisin and the recovery of salts from salting out, facilitating their reuse in a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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11 pages, 1805 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Degree of Li3PO4 Vapor Dissociation on the Ionic Conductivity of LiPON Thin Films
by Alexander Kamenetskikh, Nikolay Gavrilov, Alexey Ershov and Petr Tretnikov
Membranes 2023, 13(10), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13100847 - 23 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1938
Abstract
Thin films of solid-state lithium-ion electrolytes show promise for use in small-sized autonomous power sources for micro- and nanoelectronic elements. The high rate of vacuum-plasma synthesis (~0.5 μm/h) of lithium phosphor-oxynitride (LiPON) films with an ionic conductivity of ~2·10−6 S/cm is achieved [...] Read more.
Thin films of solid-state lithium-ion electrolytes show promise for use in small-sized autonomous power sources for micro- and nanoelectronic elements. The high rate of vacuum-plasma synthesis (~0.5 μm/h) of lithium phosphor-oxynitride (LiPON) films with an ionic conductivity of ~2·10−6 S/cm is achieved through anodic evaporation of Li3PO4 in a low-pressure arc. The microstructure and ionic conductivity of LiPON films are influenced by the proportion of free lithium in the vapor flow. This paper presents the results of a study on the plasma composition during anodic evaporation of Li3PO4 in a discharge with a self-heating hollow cathode and a crucible anode. A method is proposed for adjusting the free lithium concentration in the gas-vapor (Li3PO4 + N2/Ar) discharge plasma based on changing the frequency of collisions of electrons with Li3PO4 vapor in the anodic region of the discharge. It is demonstrated that an increase in the proportion of free lithium in the flow of deposited particles leads to an enhancement in the concentration and mobility of lithium ions in the deposited films and, subsequently, an improvement in the ionic conductivity of LiPON films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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13 pages, 3029 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Brine by Monovalent Ion-Selective Membranes through Electrodialysis
by Prem P. Sharma, Shabin Mohammed, Jamaliah Aburabie and Raed Hashaikeh
Membranes 2023, 13(6), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060562 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2261
Abstract
This paper proposes the use of monovalent selective electrodialysis technology to concentrate the valuable sodium chloride (NaCl) component present in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) brine for direct utilization in the chlor-alkali industry. To enhance monovalent selectivity, a polyamide selective layer was fabricated on [...] Read more.
This paper proposes the use of monovalent selective electrodialysis technology to concentrate the valuable sodium chloride (NaCl) component present in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) brine for direct utilization in the chlor-alkali industry. To enhance monovalent selectivity, a polyamide selective layer was fabricated on commercial ion exchange membranes (IEMs) through interfacial polymerization (IP) of piperazine (PIP) and 1,3,5-Benzenetricarbonyl chloride (TMC). The IP-modified IEMs were characterized using various techniques to investigate changes in chemical structure, morphology, and surface charge. Ion chromatography (IC) analysis showed that the divalent rejection rate was more than 90% for IP-modified IEMs, compared to less than 65% for commercial IEMs. Electrodialysis results demonstrated that the SWRO brine was successfully concentrated to 14.9 g/L NaCl at a power consumption rate of 3.041 kWh/kg, indicating the advantageous performance of the IP-modified IEMs. Overall, the proposed monovalent selective electrodialysis technology using IP-modified IEMs has the potential to provide a sustainable solution for the direct utilization of NaCl in the chlor-alkali industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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12 pages, 3115 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Changes in Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Humic Substances in Waters of Different Genesis: Membrane Technologies and Equilibrium Processes
by Marina Dinu
Membranes 2023, 13(3), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13030340 - 15 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1345
Abstract
Membrane filtration methods were applied in this study to research natural waters specification (and speciation). Lysimetric waters (soil waters) of background territories in different seasons are considered. Features of the change in molecular weights, elemental composition, and zeta potential of organic matter during [...] Read more.
Membrane filtration methods were applied in this study to research natural waters specification (and speciation). Lysimetric waters (soil waters) of background territories in different seasons are considered. Features of the change in molecular weights, elemental composition, and zeta potential of organic matter during fractionation from 8 μm to 100 kDa were found. The number of labile and non-labile speciation of some elements obtained by membrane filtration and ion-exchange separation methods were found and compared. The highest molecular weights of organic substances were found in summer samples of lysimetric waters (more than 100 kDa) with a predominance of the aromatic component in the IR spectra of the samples. Several maxima were also found in the molecular weight distribution, including the increase in autochthonous organic substances. The most stable negative zeta potential, as a stabilized colloid matter, are represented in summer (near −26 mV) and in autumn (near −22 mV) lysimetric water. A slight increase in metal ions bound into organic complexes is typical for summer and autumn samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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20 pages, 2690 KiB  
Article
Is It Possible to Prepare a “Super” Anion-Exchange Membrane by a Polypyrrole-Based Modification?
by Anton Kozmai, Mikhail Porozhnyy, Valentina Ruleva, Andrey Gorobchenko, Natalia Pismenskaya and Victor Nikonenko
Membranes 2023, 13(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010103 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
In spite of wide variety of commercial ion-exchange membranes, their characteristics, in particular, electrical conductivity and counterion permselectivity, are unsatisfactory for some applications, such as electrolyte solution concentration. This study is aimed at obtaining an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) of high performance in concentrated [...] Read more.
In spite of wide variety of commercial ion-exchange membranes, their characteristics, in particular, electrical conductivity and counterion permselectivity, are unsatisfactory for some applications, such as electrolyte solution concentration. This study is aimed at obtaining an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) of high performance in concentrated solutions. An AEM is prepared with a polypyrrole (PPy)-based modification of a heterogeneous AEM with quaternary ammonium functional groups. Concentration dependences of the conductivity, diffusion permeability and Cl transport number in NaCl solutions are measured and simulated using a new version of the microheterogeneous model. The model describes changes in membrane swelling with increasing concentration and the effect of these changes on the transport characteristics. It is assumed that PPy occupies macro- and mesopores of the host membrane where it replaces non-selective electroneutral solution. Increasing conductivity and selectivity are explained by the presence of positively charged PPy groups. It is found that the conductivity of a freshly prepared membrane reaches 20 mS/cm and the chloride transport number > 0.99 in 4 M NaCl. A choice of input parameters allows quantitative agreement between the experimental and simulation results. However, PPy has shown itself to be an unstable material. This article discusses what parameters a membrane can have to show such exceptional characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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10 pages, 2214 KiB  
Article
Role of the Membrane Transport Mechanism in Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Experiments
by Marco Leonardi, Giuseppe Tranchida, Roberto Corso, Rachela G. Milazzo, Salvatore A. Lombardo and Stefania M. S. Privitera
Membranes 2022, 12(10), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12100969 - 2 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2348
Abstract
The electrochemical synthesis of ammonia through the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is receiving much attention, since it is considered a promising alternative to the Haber–Bosch process. In NRR experiments, a Nafion membrane is generally adopted as a separator. However, its use is controversial [...] Read more.
The electrochemical synthesis of ammonia through the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is receiving much attention, since it is considered a promising alternative to the Haber–Bosch process. In NRR experiments, a Nafion membrane is generally adopted as a separator. However, its use is controversial since ammonia can be trapped in the membrane, to some extent, or even pass through it. We systematically investigate the interaction of a Nafion membrane with ammonia and with an electrolyte and compare it with Zirfon as a possible alternative separator. We show that Nafion containing ammonia can easily release it when immersed in a 0.1 M Na2SO4 ammonia-free electrolyte, due to the cation exchange mechanism (Na+-NH4+). Since Na2SO4 is a commonly adopted electrolyte for NRR experiments, this may cause serious measurement errors and non-reproducible results. The same experiments performed using the polysulfone Zirfon separator clearly show that it is immune to interactions with ammonia, because of its different ion conduction mechanism. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the choice of membrane and electrolyte to be adopted for NRR tests, and may allow one to obtain more accurate and reliable results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Exchange Membranes and Processes, Fourth Edition)
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