Synthesis, electrochemical characterization, antibacterial study and evaluation of fixed charge density of polystyrene based calcium-strontium phosphate composite membrane

The present work demonstrates the electrochemical characterizations of polystyrene based calcium–strontium phosphate composite membranes prepared by sol–gel process.Polystyrene based magnesium-strontium (CSP) composite membrane was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and antibacterial studies. The membrane was found to be crystalline in nature with uniform arrangement of particles indicating no sign of visible cracks and showed good inhibitory effects against gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria. The IR spectra confirm the binding of the composites with the polystyrene. The observed membrane potential of polystyrene based calcium–strontium phosphate composite membrane were measured with uni-univalent electrolytes solutions using saturated calomel electrodes and followed the order LiCl > NaCl > KCl. Thus, the membrane was found to be cation-selective. Membrane potential data have been used to calculate transport number, mobility ratio, distribution coefficient, charge effectiveness, and also to derive the fixed charge density which is a key parameter to govern the membrane phenomena by utilizing Teorell, Meyer, and Sievers method. The order of surface charge density for uni-univalent electrolytes solution was found to be KCl > NaCl > LiCl.

Plots of membrane potential (theoretical and observed) (mV) versus − log C2(mol/l) at different concentrations of KCl electrolyte solution for polystyrene based CSP composite membrane prepared at pressure of 100 MPa.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The membrane was found to be crystalline in nature and no sign of visible cracks.
► The antibacterial study of membrane shows good result against all the bacteria.
► The membrane was found to be cation selective.
► The order of surface charge density for 1:1 electrolytes was LiCl < NaCl < KCl.