Ion selective cation exchange membrane with tailored electrochemical properties by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose nanogels

The ion selective membranes with desirable hydrophilicity and charged channel were prepared by incorporation of synthesized sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) nanogels. For the aim, the NaCMC polymer was crosslinked by iron chloride (FeCl 3 ) to make hydrogels and then turned to nanogels (NGs). The synthesized NGs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses. Results exhibited formation of NGs in a good manner, decisively. The fabricated membranes represented desirable electrochemical performances; the NGs incorporated membranes showed more hydrophilic surface as well as > 50% and > 300% increase in ionic flux and electrical conductivity in sodium chloride ionic solution, respectively. The modified membranes with promoted charge density resulted in desirable Na + /Mg 2+ (mono/bivalent) ion selectivity which enhanced from ~0.63 for pristine membrane up to ~4.36 for the modified ones. Moreover, NG-entrapped membrane showed responsive electrochemical characteristics at different pH environments ingeniously.