Electrochemical Characterization of an MB-2 Bipolar Membrane Modified by Nanosized Chromium(III) Hydroxide

Abstract

The nanostructured modification of an MB-2 bipolar membrane with chromium(III) hydroxide is performed. Using the methods of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and impedance spectroscopy, the morphology and phase and chemical composition, as well as the electrochemical properties of the modified membrane, are studied. Its electrochemical behavior in the process of conversion of ammonium nitrate was studied: the yield of the acid and base, the energy consumption of the process, and the degree of contamination of the target products with salt ions are evaluated. It is shown that the bulk modification of the cation-exchange layer of the MB-2 membrane with nanosized Cr(OH)₃ allows one to achieve the electrochemical characteristics of a bipolar membrane comparable to those of Fumasep FBM and MB-3 membranes.