Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes

Summary An ion exchange membrane containing carboxyl groups, insoluble in acidic and alkaline aqueous solutions, was prepared from poly(isobutylene-alternating co-maleic anhydride) and poly(vinyl alcohol). Using the membrane in a diaphragm cell, one side being adjusted to be acidic and the other alkaline, it was possible to transport actively and selectively alkali metal ions through the membrane from the alkaline side to the acidic side.     

Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes: 33. Permeation behaviour of aqueous alcohol solution through cellulose membranes

The permeabilities of various aqueous alcohol solutions through cellulose membranes were investigated by changing the preparation conditions of membranes, the feed concentration, and the feed solute, etc. The permeation rates for aqueous solutions of alcohols, glycols, glycerol, trihydroxyl benzene were greater than for pure water. This permeation phenomenon could be explained by some permeation models considering water cluster, activation of water molecules (second bound water-like) attached weakly to the bound water in cellulose membrane, and the surface of cellulose membrane, and plasticization of cellulose molecules.     

Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes, 32. New preparation method of cellulose membranes

The preparation of cellulose membranes from mixtures of cellulose, nonprotonic polar organic solvents, paraformaldehyde, and basic catalyst was studied. When dimethyl sulfoxide was used as casting solvent, the resulting membrane was the densest. An increase of an additional amount of triethyl amine used as basic catalyst gave denser membranes.     

Preparation of polydimethylsiloxane/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer network membranes and permeation of aqueous ethanol solutions through the membranes by pervaporation

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polystyrene (PSt) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) membranes were prepared by the bulk copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene in the PDMS networks. The interpenetration of PDMS and PSt resulted in the improvement of mechanical properties of PDMS. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation demonstrated that the PDMS/PSt IPN membranes have microphase-separated structures consisting of a continuous PDMS phase and a discontinuous PSt phase. When an aqueous ethanol solution was permeated through the PDMS/PSt IPN membranes by pervaporation, the PDMS/PSt IPN membranes exhibited ethanol permselectivity, regardless of the PDMS content. The effects of their microphase-separated structures on the permeability and selectivity for aqueous ethanol solutions are discussed experimentally and theoretically. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes: 24. Permeation characteristics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes

The permeation characteristics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes were investigated by changing the preparation conditions of the membranes, the composition of the casting solution, membrane thickness, time of heat treatment and temperature, etc.; and by changing the permeation conditions, operating temperature, the feed concentration, and the feed solute, etc. Aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene glycol) were used as feed. The permeation characteristics were influenced significantly by the change of the above conditions and were dependent on the structure of resulting membrane, the viscosity of feed, the form of polymer molecules in aqueous solution, and the concentration polarization of polymer solute molecules onto the membrane surface. The permeation through very swollen membranes (ca. 85% in water content) followed the viscous flow.     

Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes. 27. Concentration of poly(styrene sulphonic acid) in various aqueous solutions using poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes

The permeation characteristics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes in the separation and concentration of poly(styrene sulphonic acid), from various aqueous solutions were investigated under various conditions. The rejection of the polymer from its aqueous solution was high, because electrostatic repulsions between the charges along polymer chains cause chain extension. When a salt, such as sodium chloride, and sulphuric acid were added to the aqueous solution and the pH was changed, the configuration of the poly(styrene sulphonic acid) molecules changed significantly with the added amounts of salt. The permeation characteristics were influenced markedly by the conformational changes of polymer molecules and the viscosities of permeating liquids. The rejections were dependent on the conformational changes: the permeation rates were mainly governed by the viscosities. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes had much superior resistance to acid, i.e. even when immersed in concentrated sulphuric acid for 7 days, the permeation characteristics did not change at all. The membranes were also effective for the concentration of poly(styrene sulphonic acid) and the removal of sulphuric acid from aqueous mixtures since the concentration of these solutes were optimum.     

Al2O3-coated nanoporous TiO2 electrode for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell

This paper reports the preparation of a core-shell nanoporous electrode consisting of an inner TiO₂ porous matrix and a thin overlayer of Al₂O₃, and its application for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell using p-CuI as hole conductor. Al₂O₃ overlayer was coated onto TiO₂ porous film by the surface sol–gel process. The role of Al₂O₃ layer thickness on the cell performance was investigated. The solar cells fabricated from Al₂O₃-coated electrodes showed superior performance to the bare TiO₂ electrode. Under illumination of AM 1.5 simulated sunlight (89 mW/cm²), a ca. 0.19 nm Al₂O₃ overlayer increased the photo-to-electric conversion efficiency from 1.94% to 2.59%.     

Hydrogen production by hybrid process combined with assistance of solar and electric energies

To increase the efficiency for hydrogen production by solar decomposition of water in the photoelectrochemical local cell, it was advantageous to decompose an acidic aqueous electrolyte containing Fe³⁺ ions. In the photo-cell having an n-type semiconductor anode illuminated with solar light, the electrolyte decomposed to oxygen and Fe²⁺ ions with a quantum efficiency of ca 38% for light below 400 nm. The electrolyte containing the Fe²⁺ ions produced was electrolysed in the cell having a packed bed carbon anode and a platinum cathode deposited on a cation exchange membrane, producing hydrogen and Fe³⁺ ions with less than 1.0 V at 50 mA cm^?2 and was then fed back to the photo-cell.