Development of a new route for cation exchange membrane fabrication by using GO reinforced styrenated oil

A novel route was developed for cation exchange membrane (CEM) fabrication by using GO reinforced styrenated oil polymeric structure and the impact of polymer type (PS/PS-oil), graphene oxide amount (0.5,1,3, and 5 wt%), and sulfonation time (6,12, and 24 h) on the characteristics of prepared membranes (contact angle, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, DS(%), electron conductivity) were investigated for the first time in the current study. The results showed that higher values of water absorption, ion exchange capacity, and electron conductivity were obtained for GO-PS-oil-based membranes compared to GO-only PS based membranes under all experimental conditions. Also, it was seen that ion-exchange capacity and water uptake capacity were directly related to the GO amount and sulfonation time of the polymer. The maximum value obtained for ion exchange capacity was 7.7 meq/g for 5%GO incorporated-PS-oil based membrane sulfonating for 24 h. The obtained IEC values for all experimental conditions in this study are relatively high compared to other PS based membranes studied in the literature. The membrane's electrochemical characteristics (conductivity, flux and permeability) were also determined in an electrodialysis test cell. All obtained results indicated that CEM fabricated by this new approach could be utilized for electrodialysis applications in the future.