ION-EXCHANGE SELECTIVITY AND METAL-ION SEPARATIONS WITH A PERFLUORINATED CATION-EXCHANGE POLYMER

Selectivity coefficients for hydrogen ion exchange with the alkali metal ions and silver ion have been measured for varying ionic fractions of metal ion using Nation 120 perfluorinated sulfonate cation-exchange membrane. Powdered samples of Nafion were used to separate the alkali metal ions and alkaline earth ions by column chromatography. Results indicate that Nafion exhibits higher selectivity and more uniform exchange site environment than conventional sulfonate ion-exchange resins. The ion-exchange properties of Nafion are discussed in terms of its water sorption and morphology. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.