Synthesis, estimation of stability in different media, electrochemical properties and potentiometric studies of PVC-based NP ion-exchange composite membrane for desalination and waste water treatment applications.

The chemical stability of PVC-based Neodymium phosphate (NP) ion-exchange membrane shows better results with strong oxidizing agent KMnO4as compared to the acidic and alkaline medium and it was synthesized by sol–gel and die casting method. The characterization of the ion-exchange composite membrane was carried out by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The membrane with 25% PVC and 75% NP shows excellent mechanical and thermal stability as well as good ion-exchange capacity. The observed membrane potential data were used to determine the transport number of cation and anion and other electrochemical parameters of the composite membrane. The prepared membrane can be considered as an excellent material for desalination and wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]