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Title: Unusual ionic behavior in microemulsion-polymerized membranes

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces, amp Biophysical
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp990977u· OSTI ID:691295
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. National Univ. of Singapore (Singapore)

Ion-containing membranes have attracted much attention recently, because of their potential applications in sensors, batteries, and fuel cells. The polymer-based membranes can offer advantages of reduced thickness, weight, and higher ionic conductivity. In addition, the mechanical flexibility of the polymers enables solid-state cells to be designed with optimized electrode/electrolyte interface as they can be readily shaped into any desired configuration. Some unusual ionic conducting phenomena were observed from ion-containing microemulsion membranes. Contrary to conventional wisdom, it was found that under the same ionic concentration, large ions exhibit higher mobilities than smaller ones. They are possibly explained by the existence of hydration shells, which eventually made the lighter cations larger. This is further supported by the sharp conductivity drop when the system was cooled below the freezing point of water. In addition, conductivity drop at higher ionic concentration was also observed.

OSTI ID:
691295
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces, amp Biophysical, Vol. 103, Issue 36; Other Information: PBD: 9 Sep 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English