A comparative study of theoretical, electrochemical and ionic transport through PVC based Cu3(PO4)2 and polystyrene supported Ni3(PO4)2 composite ion exchange porous membranes

•A comparative study of the ion exchange composite membrane•The membrane was found to be quite stable.•Good practical applications•The electrochemical studies give up applicability of the membranes.

The organic–inorganic composite ion exchange membranes, i.e. PVC based Cu3(PO4)2 and polystyrene supported Ni3(PO4)2 were chemically prepared by sol–gel method. The physico-chemical nature was determined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) characterization. Both the membranes were found to be crystalline in nature and no sign of visible cracks is there. The theoretical value of the potential was determined by Teorell–Meyer–Sievers method, electrochemical properties were measured by potentiometer. The observed potential for both the membranes was little different and positive, the potential offered by the electrolytes was in the order of KCl > NaCl > LiCl. The transport number, mobility ratio, distribution coefficient, charge effectiveness, and the fixed charge density of the ions were calculated by potential observation. The order of surface charge density of both the membranes was found to be LiCl < NaCl < KCl.

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