Studies of composite ion exchange membranes formed from gamma radiation initiated formed from gamma radiation initiated grafting of polymers to modified expanded teflon membranes

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:466533

Blubaugh, E A; Ramos, B L; Heineman, W R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States)

This report will present our results for evaluating expanded Teflon as a matrix for polymer grafting. The porosity of the ePTFE starting material was kept constant. However, the volume percent of monomer to solvent and the radiation dosage levels were varied. Also, the monomers used were styrene and (2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and the influence on the microscopic characteristics of the composite polymers was evaluated via gravimetric determinations and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), respectively. The grafted polystyrene or poly-(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) must be further modified chemically. The polystyrene must be sulfonated and the poly-(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) must be quatemized via 2-Bromobutane. These chemical modifications convert the polystyrene into polystyrene-sulfonate (a cation exchanger) and the conversion of poly-(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) to poly-(2-dimethyl-butyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate) bromide (an anion exchange medium). These polymer composites were evaluated as to their ion-exchange ability, via the electrochemical activity displayed through exchanged electroactive ions.

• OSTI ID: 466533
• Report Number(s): CONF-951017--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
GAMMA RADIATION
GRAFT POLYMERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
MEMBRANES
POLYSTYRENE
POROSITY
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SULFONATES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TEFLON