The aim of this work was to investigate the properties of Sicopion membranes: an ultrathin (Ã?Å?20 Ã?µm) composite cationexchange\r\nmembrane (CEM) made from sulphonated poly(ether-ether-ketone) (SPEEK) containing different levels of sulphonicfunctionalized\r\nsilica particles (SFSPs). Sicopion membranes were conditioned according to the French Normalization Association\r\nprocedure, consisting in a series of acid and alkaline washes, and their electrodialytic characteristics were compared to an existent\r\ncommercial food-grade membrane (CMX-SB). Electrical conductivity of Sicopion membranes was higher than that of CMX-SB\r\nmembranes (9.92 versus 6.98 mS/cm), as well as their water content (34.0 versus 27.6%). As the SFSP level was reduced, the ionexchange\r\ncapacity (IEC) of Sicopion membranes increased. Concerning their electrodialytic performances, Sicopion membranes\r\npresented a lower demineralization rate than CMX-SB membranes (35.9 versus 45.5%), due to an OH- leakage through the pores\r\ncreated by dislodging the SFSP particles during the conditioning procedure.
Loading....