Surface-functionalized cation exchange membrane by covalent immobilization of polyelectrolyte multilayer for effective separation of mono- and multivalent cations

The existence of numerous non-conductive regions retards the further functionalization of heterogeneous membrane surface. In this report, a modification scheme for covalent immobilization of polyethyleneimine (PEI) multilayer on heterogeneous cation exchange membrane (CEM) was developed by means of diazonium-induced carboxyl group grafting. Of particular note are the influences of some important modification conditions, including the molecular weight of PEI and its deposition times, which were explored and understood. Series of electrodialysis experiments confirmed the achievement of the monovalent cation permselectivity. Furthermore, the results also indicated that the PEI coating can also effectively improve surface homogeneity and then alleviate concentration polarization behaviour during the electrodialysis process.