Fabrication of heterogeneous ion exchange membrane modified by carbon nanotubes-silver nanolayer composite particles: Electrochemical characterization and antibacterial effect

Polyvinyl chloride based heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. The effect of multi walled carbon nano tubes and also MWCNTs-co-Ag nanolayer composite nanoparticles on electrochemical and antibacterial properties of membranes was studied. The MWCNTs-co-Ag nanolayer composite nanoparticles were prepared by magnetron sputtering method. Scanning optical microscopy images showed uniform particles distribution for the membranes. Also surface modification of MWCNTs by Ag nanolayer caused to more uniformity for the membranes. Results showed that membrane electrochemical properties were improved by using of nanoparticles in membrane matrix. Also the modified membrane containing Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tubes-co-Ag nanolayer showed more suitable electrochemical characteristics and antibacterial property in E-Coli removal compared to others.