Cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)/sulfosuccinic acid (PVA/SSA) as cation exchange membranes for reverse electrodialysis

To develop the suitable and cost-competitive membranes, the cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)/sulfosuccinic acid (PVA/SSA) cation exchange membranes (CEMs) were prepared and their potential as feasible reverse electrodialysis (RED) CEMs was evaluated experimentally. Results proved after the thermal treatment at the crosslinking temperature of 120 ?C, the custom-made membranes exhibited the most favorable electrochemical characteristics. The PVA/SSA CEM with 20 wt% SSA in polymer blends had more advantages in the RED process because of the excellent mechanical and transport properties. Furthermore, the results presented that the stack with the custom-made CEMs with 20 wt% SSA content had similar maximum power density (1.022 W m-2) to that with the excellent commercial CEMs (Selemion CMV) (1.072 W m-2) in the same RED configuration, although the PVA/SSA CEMs possessed the relatively low permselectivity. Besides, the PVA CEMs had the lower stack resistance and non-ohmic resistance compared with the Selemion CMV CEMs.

Automated summary

Research shows that the PVA/SSA CEM with 20 wt% SSA content demonstrates more advantages in the RED process, with excellent mechanical and transport properties.