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Preparation of highly H + permeable sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) cation exchange membranes and their applications in electro‐generation of thioglycolic acid
Author(s) -
Huang Xuehong,
Chen Zhen,
Lin Pu,
Huang Jinbiao,
Chen Wenjian
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2577
Subject(s) - membrane , ether , thioglycolic acid , polymer chemistry , ketone , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , materials science , nuclear chemistry , arylene , thermal stability , ion exchange , chemistry , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , ion , biochemistry , aryl , alkyl , engineering
BACKGROUND: Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was successfully synthesized from sulfonated 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone, 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone and bisphenol A. SPEEK cation exchange membranes were prepared by the casting method. The composition and morphology of SPEEK were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and 1 H NMR spectroscopies, respectively. The ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake and degree of swelling of the membranes were also investigated. SPEEK120 was used as a separator in an electrolysis cell to produce thioglycolic acid (TGA). RESULTS: SPEEK polymerization was carried out at 145 and 175 °C for 10 h. The IEC of the SPEEK membranes was measured as 0.24–2.02 meq g −1 and the water uptake as 2.26–26.45%. The degree of swelling of the membranes was 1.71–15.28%. TGA was effectively prepared by electro‐reduction of dithioglycolic acid. The current efficiency peaked at 58.31% at room temperature with a current density of 15 mA cm −2 . CONCLUSION: SPEEK120 membrane shows good dimensional stability and H + permeability. Compared to the traditional metal‐reduction method, the current electro‐reduction technique avoids the use of zinc powder and so reduces environmental pollution. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry