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Ion Exchange Membranes and Electrochemical Membrane Processes for Sustainable Energy Conversion and Separations

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 2828

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute on Membrane Technology of the National Research Council of Italy (ITM-CNR), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 17/C, 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: membrane function; catalytic and biocatalytic membranes and membrane reactors; energy conversion film; design and development of polymer and hybrid matrix nanostructured membranes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ion exchange membranes (IEMs) have today consolidated applications in several strategic fields. IEMs are efficiently used in energy conversion and storage systems, such as fuel cells (FCs) and battery separators, as well as in separation processes like electrodialysis (ED). Moreover, with regard to addressing the global need for non-carbon-based and renewable energies, salinity-gradient power (SGP) harvesting by reverse electrodialysis (RED) and capacitive mixing (CAPMIX) has been attracting significant interest in recent years. However, the major limitation of all these processes is the availability of high-performing and durable membranes and other key components (e.g., spacers, electrodes, electrocatalysts) at an acceptable cost. From this perspective, nanoscience and nanotechnology might play a key role in bringing performance advances and industrial scale-up opportunities. Although membrane-based operations are generally considered green and sustainable by themselves, it is frequently overlooked that membrane fabrication is quite far from green (e.g., use of substances of very high concern). Therefore, there is great attention today on developing innovative production protocols to make industrial membrane production more environmentally friendly.

This Special Issue is devoted to the numerous key aspects of IEMs and membrane processes, including modeling, for sustainable energy conversion and separations. Academic and industrial scientists working in these fields are strongly encouraged to submit their original works or reviews for publication in this Special Issue.

Dr. Enrica Fontananova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Ion exchange membrane
  • Energy conversion
  • Electrochemical membrane process
  • Membrane separation
  • Ion transport
  • Storage
  • Fuel cell
  • Battery
  • Electrodialysis
  • Deionization
  • Salinity gradient power
  • Reverse electrodialysis
  • Capacitive mixing
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable growth
  • Process intensification
  • Green chemistry
  • Green solvent
  • Green polymer
  • Spacer
  • Electrode
  • Electrocatalyst
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanostructured ion channel
  • Membrane production
  • Modelling
  • Mixed matrix membrane
  • Advanced membrane
  • Industrial membrane production

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 11977 KiB  
Article
Radiation-Induced Asymmetric Grafting of Different Monomers into Base Films to Prepare Novel Bipolar Membranes
by Shin-ichi Sawada and Yasunari Maekawa
Molecules 2021, 26(7), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26072028 - 2 Apr 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2209
Abstract
We prepared novel bipolar membranes (BPMs) consisting of cation and anion exchange layers (CEL and AEL) using radiation-induced asymmetric graft polymerization (RIAGP). In this technique, graft polymers containing cation and anion exchange groups were introduced into a base film from each side. To [...] Read more.
We prepared novel bipolar membranes (BPMs) consisting of cation and anion exchange layers (CEL and AEL) using radiation-induced asymmetric graft polymerization (RIAGP). In this technique, graft polymers containing cation and anion exchange groups were introduced into a base film from each side. To create a clear CEL/AEL boundary, grafting reactions were performed from each surface side using two graft monomer solutions, which are immiscible in each other. Sodium p-styrenesulfonate (SSS) and acrylic acid (AA) in water were co-grafted from one side of the base ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene film, and chloromethyl styrene (CMS) in xylene was simultaneously grafted from the other side, and then the CMS units were quaternized to afford a BPM. The distinct SSS + AA- and CMS-grafted layers were formed owing to the immiscibility of hydrophilic SSS + AA and hydrophobic CMS monomer solutions. This is the first BPM with a clear CEL/AEL boundary prepared by RIAGP. However, in this BPM, the CEL was considerably thinner than the AEL, which may be a problem in practical applications. Then, by using different starting times of the first SSS+AA and second CMS grafting reactions, the CEL and AEL thicknesses was found to be controlled in RIAGP. Full article
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