Ion-Exchange Membranes for the Fabrication of Reverse Electrodialysis Device

Summary

We demonstrate the fabrication of a reverse electrodialysis device using a cation-exchange membrane (CEM) and anion-exchange membrane (AEM) for power generation.

Abstract

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is an effective way to generate power by mixing two different salt concentrations in water using cation-exchange membranes (CEM) and anion-exchange membranes (AEM). The RED stack is composed of an alternating arrangement of the cation-exchange membrane and anion-exchange membrane. The RED device acts as a potential candidate for fulfilling the universal demand for future energy crises. Here, in this article, we demonstrate a procedure to fabricate a reverse electrodialysis device using laboratory-scale CEM and AEM for power production. The active area of the ion-exchange membrane is 49 cm². In this article, we provide a step-by-step procedure for synthesizing the membrane, followed by the stack's assembly and power measurement. The measurement conditions and net power output calculation have also been explained. Furthermore, we describe the fundamental parameters that are taken into consideration for obtaining a reliable outcome. We also provide a theoretical parameter that affects the overall cell performance relating to the membrane and the feed solution. In short, this experiment describes how to assemble and measure RED cells on the same platform. It also contains the working principle and calculation used for estimating the net power output of the RED stack using CEM and AEM membranes.

Introduction

Energy harvesting from natural resources is an economical method that is environmentally friendly, thereby making our planet green and clean. Several processes have been proposed until now to extract energy, but reverse electrodialysis (RED) has an enormous potential to overcome the energy crisis issue¹. Power production from Reverse electrodialysis is a technological breakthrough for the decarbonization of global energy. As the name suggests, RED is a reverse process, where the alternate cell compartment is filled with the high-concentrated salt solution and low-concentrated salt solution². The chemical potential genera....

Protocol

1. Experimental requirement

1. Purchase ion-exchange ionomer polymer, E-550 sulfonated-PEEK polymer fiber to prepare CEM and FAA-3 to prepare AEM. Ensure that all ionomer polymers are stored in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment before use.
2. Use high purity (>99%) solvents, including N-Methyl-2- pyrrolidone with molecular weight 99.13 g mol^-1 and N, N-Dimethylacetamide with molecular weight 87.12, for preparing homogeneous ionomer solution. Ensure all analytical grade chemicals and s.......

Discussion

The RED's working principle is mainly dominated by the membrane's physicochemical properties, which is a crucial part of the RED system, as illustrated in Figure 3. Here, we describe the fundamental characteristics of the membrane for delivering a high-performance RED system. Membrane's specific ion permeability makes it pass one type of ions through their polymer nanochannel. As the name suggests, CEM can pass cation from one side to another and restricts anion, whereas AEM can .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
AEM based membrane	Fumion	P1810-194	Ionomer
CEM based membrane	Fumion	E550	Ionomer
Digital torque wrench	Torqueworld	WP2-030-09000251	wrench
Labview software	Natiaonal Instrument	-	Software
Laptop	LG	-	PC
Magnetic stirrer	Lab Companion	-	MS-17BB
N, N-Dimethylacetamide	Sigma aldrich	271012	Chemical
N-Methyl-2- pyrrolidone	Daejung	872-50-4	Chemical
Peristaltic pump	EMS tech Inc	-	EMP 2000W
Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) trihydrate	Sigma aldrich	P3289	Chemical
Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)	Sigma aldrich	244023	Chemical
Pressure Gauge	Swagelok	-	Guage
Reverse electrodialysis setup	fabricated in lab	-	Device
RO system pure water	KOTITI	-	Water
Rotary evaporator	Hitachi	YEFO-KTPM	Induction motor
Sodium Chloride	Sigma aldrich	S9888	Chemical
Sodium Hydroxide	Merk	1310-73-2	Chemical
Source meter	Keithley	-	2410
Spacer	Nitex, SEFAR	06-250/34	Spacer
Sulfuric acid	Daejung	7664-93-9	Chemical
Tube	Masterflex tube	96410-25	Rubber tube