Active and Selective Transport of Alkali Metal Ions through a Polyelectrolyte Complex Membrane Consisting of Glycol Chitosan and the Sulfate of Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Abstract

Abstract Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membranes consisting of glycol chitosan and the sulfate of poly(vinyl alcohol) have been prepared. The membrane of the polyelectrolyte complex under a 50% humidity prepared in a 4% hydrochloric acid solution was stable in basic and acidic solutions. The membranes of the PECs under a 90% humidity prepared at pH 1.0 were not stable in an alkaline solution. The active and selective transport of K+ and Na+ were observed in the PEC membrane prepared in a 4% hydrochloric acid solution. The transport behavior of alkali metal ions through this membrane was much affected by the hydrogen-ion concentration, which acted as a driving force. A proton-pump mechanism was suggested for the acive transport of Na+ and K+. It was also suggested that the affinity of the carrier and changes in both the chemical and physical properties of the PEC membrane with the hydrogen-ion concentration controlled the selective transport through the membrane.