Graphene oxide in the production of ion-exchange membranes for electrodialysis cells

Ion-exchange membranes (AEMs) are extensively utilized in separation processes for the treatment of contaminated effluents and the removal of heavy metals. This study aimed to produce and characterize heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes using the phase inversion technique. Polysulfone and polyethersulfone polymer matrix membranes were prepared by incorporating Duolite AP143/1083 and Amberlite (TM) IRP69 resins into the anion and cation exchange membranes at a proportion of 5% (wt/wt). Additionally, the simultaneous incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) at 2.5% and 5.0% (wt/wt) with the resins was investigated. The membranes underwent characterization through permeability measurements, cross-sectional analysis, morphology examination, mechanical strength testing, and ion exchange capacity evaluation. The membranes displayed a maximum water permeability flux of 59.5 L h(-1) m(-2) bar(-1), while the polyethersulfone with anion exchange resin and 2.5% graphene oxide (PESAOG2.5) and polyethersulfone with cation exchange resin and 2.5% graphene oxide (PESCOG2.5) membranes achieved fluxes of 20.81 and 16 L h(-1) m(-2) bar(-1), respectively. The ion exchange indices for polysulfone membranes (PS) and polyethersulfone membranes (PES) membranes were 0.26 and 0.23 mmol/g, respectively, which increased with the incorporation of resins and GO, reaching 1.08 mmol/g in PESAOG2.5 membranes. The addition of GO demonstrated promising results in producing heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes with potential applications in the removal of metal ions from various contaminated effluents.