pH-Induced Reversal of Ionic Diode Polarity in 300 nm Thin Membranes Based on a Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity
File(s)PIM_Film_1ffff_EC_revision.pdf (633.45 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
“Ionic diode” (or current rectification) effects are potentially important for a range of applications including water purification. In this preliminary report, we observe novel ionic diode behaviour of thin (300 nm) membranes based on a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-EA-TB) supported on a poly-ethylene-terephthalate (PET) film with a 20 μm diameter microhole, and immersed in aqueous electrolyte media. Current rectification effects are observed for half-cells with the same electrolyte solution on both sides of the membrane for cases where cation and anion mobility differ (HCl, other acids, NaOH, etc.) but not for cases where cation and anion mobility are more alike (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, etc.). A pH-dependent reversal of the ionic diode effect is observed and discussed in terms of tentatively assigned mechanisms based on both (i) ion mobility within the PIM-EA-TB nano-membrane and (ii) a possible “mechanical valve effect” linked to membrane potential and electrokinetic movement of the membrane as well as hydrostatic pressure effects.
Date Issued
2016-05-27
Date Acceptance
2016-05-24
Citation
Electrochemistry Communications, 2016, 69, pp.41-45
ISSN
1873-1902
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
41
End Page
45
Journal / Book Title
Electrochemistry Communications
Volume
69
Copyright Statement
© 2016, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Imperial College London
Subjects
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published