Some Electrochemical Properties of New Synthetic Ion Exchange Membranes

Abstract

The physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of ion exchange membranes Amberplex C‐1 and Amberplex A‐1, recently developed for commercial application by the Rohm and Haas Company, were investigated and interpreted in the light of a discussion of the Donnan membrane equilibrium for polyelectrolyte membranes. A homogeneous, single‐phase model was assumed valid for these membranes. The cation exchange membrane Amberplex C‐1 was found to be preferentially permeable to cations and the degree of permselectivity was found to vary with concentration of surrounding electrolyte. Similarly, anion exchange membrane Amberplex A‐1 was found to be preferentially permeable to anions. The conductivity of both membranes was found to be a function of the concentration and nature of the surrounding solution. The electrochemical properties of the membranes were correlated with their fixed‐ion concentrations and degrees of hydration.Several possible applications of these membranes having commercial interest are suggested and discussed briefly.