Fundamental Water and Ion Transport Properties of Sulfonated Polysulfone

This presentation will present results from an experimental study of the ion and water transport properties of bisphenol-A-based sulfonated polysulfone (BisA). Random copolymers were synthesized using 20-40% sulfonated monomer with non-sulfonated monomer, and water and ion solubility, diffusivity, and permeability coefficients were measured.  In general, water uptake increased as the concentration of sulfonated monomer in these random copolymers increased.  As water uptake increased, water permeability and salt transport increased. There was a general tradeoff observed, with polymers that were more permeable being less selective for water/salt separation.  The transport properties (i.e., water and ion diffusion coefficients) were correlated with free volume in the hydrated polymers.