Contact
    Start Publications Sessile Drop Method: Critical Analysis and Optimization for ...
    ←  Publication Finder
    Attension

    Sessile Drop Method: Critical Analysis and Optimization for Measuring the Contact Angle of an Ion-Exchange Membrane Surface

    Year: 2022

    Journal: Membranes, Volume 12, AUG

    Authors: Ponomar, Maria; Krasnyuk, Ekaterina; Butylskii, Dmitrii; Nikonenko, Victor; Wang, Yaoming; Jiang, Chenxiao; Xu, Tongwen; Pismenskaya, Natalia

    Organizations: Russian Science Foundation [21-49-00009]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [22061132003]

    Keywords: surface characterization; ion-exchange membrane; contact angle; sessile drop method; roughness

    The contact angle between a membrane surface and a waterdrop lying on its surface provides important information about the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the membrane. This method is well-developed for solid non-swelling materials. However, ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are gel-like solids that swell in liquids. When an IEM is exposed to air, its degree of swelling changes rapidly, making it difficult to measure the contact angle. In this paper, we examine the known experience of measuring contact angles and suggest a simple equipment that allows the membrane to remain swollen during measurements. An optimized protocol makes it possible to obtain reliable and reproducible results. Measuring parameters such as drop size, water dosing speed and others are optimized. Contact angle measurements are shown for a large number of commercial membranes. These data are supplemented with values from other surface characteristics from optical and profilometric measurements.
    View publication