Chlorine-tolerant poly electrolyte membrane for electrochemical dye degradation

Eosin B degradation was investigated in indigenously developed electro-membrane reactor (EMR) containing high chlorine tolerant sulfonated poly (ether sulfone) (SPS) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). SPS membrane conductivity, stability and chlorine tolerant nature were investigated in compare with commercial Nafion® 117 membrane under similar operating environments. Based on cyclic voltammetry studies, electrochemical degradation mechanism was presented. EMR offered fast and efficient degradation, which depended on applied potential, dye concentration and feed flow rate. Electrochemical degradation of eosin B followed pseudo first order kinetics and results demonstrated about 95–98% colour removal corresponding to 88% NaOH recovery in 180 min. Furthermore, process EMR efficiencies were same for developed SPS and Nafion® 117 membrane. Thus, developed SPS offered an excellent economical and feasible method for dye removal in cost effective manner with NaOH as byproduct.