Abstract: | Copolymers of 4‐vinylpyridine and styrene P(4VP–St)s] with varied molar ratios were synthesized by means of radical mass polymerization with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The insoluble (linear) pyridinium‐type polymers in the octyl‐pyridinium bromide form, which possess various macromolecular chain compositions, were prepared by the reaction of each P(4VP–St) with 1‐bromooctane. A series of membranes were prepared for use in electrochemistry. These membranes, prepared with quaternized poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine), were characterized by IRspectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetory, tensile strength measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and an electrochemistry workstation. Our emphasis was to select a membrane with appropriate properties for use in the electrochemistry field. A promising membrane was selected to use in the field of electrochemistry by these characterizations. This study could be the preparation for a study on the electrochemical properties of pyridinium‐type polymers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2146–2153, 2005 |