Preparation and characterization of P2FAn/PVDF composite cation-exchange membranes for the removal of Cr(III) and Cu(II) by Donnan dialysis

In this work, poly(2-fluoroaniline) (P2FAn) was chemically synthesized with different dopant anions such as p-toluenesulfonate (PTS), 1,3 (6 or 7)-naphthalene trisulfonic acid (NSA), o-aminobenzen sulfonic acid (ABS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The P2FAn/PVDF composite cation-exchange membranes were obtained from prepared poly(2-fluoroaniline) by casting method. These membranes were used for the removal of chromium (III) and copper (II) ions from aqueous solution with Donnan dialysis (DD) experiments. The change of surface morphologies of the P2FAn/PVDF composite cation-exchange membranes were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The membrane thickness and their ion-exchange capacities were also measured. The flux values (J) and recovery factor (RF) of chromium (III) and copper (II) were obtained. The flux value of Cu(II) ion was higher than Cr(III) for all of composite membranes because of the hydration volume.