Abstract
Ion-exchange membranes for salt production were prepared by means of radiation-induced graft polymerization and chemical modifications. An epoxy-group-containing vinyl monomer, glycidyl methacrylate, was graft-polymerized onto a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film. Subsequently, the produced epoxy group was converted into anion- and cation-exchange groups by means of the reactions with trimethyammonium chloride and sodium sulfite, respectively. Charged polymer chains invaded the amorphous domain of the HDPE film to provide the permeation path for ions driven by the electric field. The resultant ion-exchange membranes exhibited almost the same brine concentration and membrane resistance as commercially available ion-exchange membranes.
