Transport studies of ions across polystyrene based composite membrane: Evaluation of fixed charge density using theoretical models

•The membrane shows comparable water uptake % with negligible swelling.•Membrane potential values confirm it to be a cation exchanger.•Evaluation of fixed charge density to show its applicability.•Effect of counter-ion has been investigated.

Polystyrene (PS) dispersed tin molybdate (TM) composite was prepared by sol-gel method. The membrane was characterized for its thermal stability by TG-DTA. SEM reveals the formation of composite material with uniform surface morphology. Crystallinity and phosphorylation of the membrane was confirmed by X-RD and FT-IR. Membrane potential of different monovalent electrolytes with varying concentration followed the order LiCl > NaCl > NH4Cl > KCl. Membrane potential increases with dilution of electrolytes confirming it to be cation selective in nature. The theoretical value of fixed charge density for the membrane was also evaluated from membrane potential using different approaches proposed by (a) Teorell–Meyer–Sievers (b) Kobatake and (c) Nagasawa, which are comparable with the experimental values. Fixed charge density examined for the electrolytes follows the order LiCl > NaCl > NH4Cl > KCl. Li+ ion shows highest value of fixed charge density in all the methods as the Donnan exclusion is highest for the electrolyte of smaller cation size. Transport number and mobility ratio for ion selectivity also increases with dilution. Membrane shows the lowest permselectivity for K+ while highest for Li+. The strong binding affinity of K+ counter-ion with fixed charge groups on the polymer decreases the membrane charge density and permselectivity. Thus, the membrane shows its applicability in various electro-membrane processes.

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