MK-40 Membranes Surface-Modified with Ceria: Preparation and Properties

Composite materials based on cation-exchange membranes MK-40 and ceria, including phosphate-functionalized, have been obtained and characterized by SEM, TGA, and IR spectroscopy. The conductivity of the membranes in the sodium form decreases from 6.2 to 3.5 mS/cm and in the calcium form, increases slightly from 1.3 to 1.6 mS/cm. It has been shown that selectivity to divalent ions grows. For example, during electrodialysis desalination selective permeability coefficients Р(Ca²⁺/Na⁺) and Р(Mg²⁺/Li⁺) increase to 3.6 and 6.6, respectively. Furthermore, additional phosphate functionalization of ceria improves the fouling resistance of the materials.