Effect of Structural Heterogeneity of Polikon Mosaic Materials on Their Properties

Abstract

A unique method for producing Polikon cation–anion exchange mosaic materials has been proposed. The materials were prepared by the polycondensation filling of polymer composites and via synthesis and curing of a weakly basic anion exchanger and a strongly acidic sulfonated cation exchanger on the surface and in the structure of a fibrous novolac phenol–formaldehyde matrix. Molecular models that characterize the chemical composition of the developed composites are given. The effect of the composition that facilitates the formation of a material with stable performance characteristics has been studied. The cause-and-effect relationships of the structural, physicochemical, and operational properties of the heterogeneous cation–anion-exchange mosaic materials Polikon under thermomechanical action at the stage of polymer matrix curing were investigated. Empirical equations that refine these relationships were obtained. The morphology and internal structure of the test heterogeneous membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive elemental analysis. The viscoelastic properties of the samples were studied by dynamic thermomechanical analysis.