Comparison of Ion Exchange Performance of Polystyrene Nanofiber Cation Exchanger and Glass Fibers Coated with Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene)

Abstract

Polystyrene nanofiber ion exchangers (PSNIE) were prepared by electrospinning from solutions of dissolved polystyrene followed by sulfonation processes. Coating and sulfonation have been used to modify glass fiber surfaces with polystyrene to produce cation exchange fibers (CEF). In this paper, new experimental results investigating the performance of PSNIE and CEF are presented in relation to the relevant parameters (ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, and surface morphology). The IEC and water uptake of the PSNIE and CEF is depended upon the sulfonation time. The PSNIE sample with 30 min sulfonation time showed the maximum IEC of 3.74 mmol/g-dry-PSNIE and water uptake of 0.77 g H 2 O/g-dry-PSNIE. The IEC and water uptake of CEF reached up to 3.61 mmol/g-CEF and 0.25 g H 2 O/g-dry-CEF.

Electrically Conducting Polymers As Templating Interfaces for Fabrication of Copper Nanotubes

“…Figure (a) shows surface morphology of the polymer fibers as determined by SEM analysis of the fiber mats was uniform and smooth with no bead formation and a random orientation. This was consistent with prior reports of PS nanofibers of similar size. − …”

A review on ion-exchange nanofiber membranes: properties, structure and application in electrochemical (waste)water treatment

“…The conditions are based on the maximum IEC that was obtained in all cases. Most ionexchange nanofibers, produced by post-functionalization methods, are limited to carbon, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) because they allow an easy and straightforward functionalization method [89][90][91]93,95]. However, postfunctionalization processes might damage the fiber structure.…”

“…A maximum IEC of 3.74 mmol g − 1 was reached after 30 min of sulfonation, however, the IEC decreased again for longer sulfonation times due to shrinking and dissolving of the fibers. The IEC was slightly higher for the PS nanofiber compared to a sulfonated PS coated glass microfiber (3.61 mmol g − 1 ) [95]. To improve the mechanical stability of the nanofibers, crosslinking is often performed [91,92].…”

Supported Electrospun Ultrafine Fibrous Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)/ZnO Porous Membranes and their Photocatalytic Applications

“…Simple coating of the catalyst over inorganic substrates or organic polymeric substrates may cause leaching and dissolution of the catalyst . Electrospinning has emerged as an attractive and simple method for the preparation of nanometer or submicrometer fibrous materials . Meanwhile, a good polymer support be stable against degradation by strong oxidative radicals generated by the photocatalyst when its surface is irradiated , , .…”