Synthesis, Thermal-Induced Phase Separation, and Solvent-Induced Switching Behavior of Novel Ionic Polymer Based on Sulfonated Poly(Ethylene-co-Vinyl Alcohol) for Li Ion Recovery

Abstract

The synthesis of ionic polymer, its solvent-induced switching behavior, the fabrication of membranes with the thermal-induced phase separation method (TIPS), and Li+ adsorption isotherm on the membranes are described. The polymer membranes prepared with TIPS method show various textures with polymer concentrations. The adsorption isotherm curves of Li+ on PEVSA samples show that good adsorption capacity is shown at high pH values, according to the S-shape of the adsorption isotherm. The ionic polymer film displays the different wettability and morphology after treatments in DI water, dichloromethane, and toluene, and its solvent-induced surface properties are reversible corresponding to solvents.