Modification of properties of ion exchange membranes

Abstract

Interaction between ion exchange membranes and surface active agents was observed by electrodialyzing the salt solution containing the surface active agent. The behavior of the electric resistance of the membrane during the electrodialysis, the current efficiency and the adsorbed or ion-exchanged amount and the permeated amount of the surface active agent were observed. Generally, the electric resistance of the membrane during the electrodialysis increased remarkably when the ionic surface active agent having the opposite charge to ion-exchange groups of the membrane was contained in the solution. And the correlation of the behavior of the electric resistance of the membrane to the electrodialysis condition, species of surface active agents and species of membranes was mainly observed. Results were as follows. 1) The adsorption' or ion-exchange of ionic surface active agent on the membrane was remarkably emphasized by the electric field. 2) The degree of the increase in the electric resistance of the membrane was remarkable when the surface active agent had the high molecular weight and the bulky molecular structure. 3) The degree of the increase in the electric resistance was remarkably various according to species of the membranes.