Membrane consisting of polyquaternary amine ion exchange polymer network interpenetrating the chains of thermoplastic matrix polymer
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsAlan Rembaum, Carl J. Wallace
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Abstract
An ion-exchange membrane is formed from a solution containing dissolved matrix polymer and a set of monomers which are capable of reacting to form a polyquaternary ion-exchange material; for example vinyl pyridine and a dihalo hydrocarbon. After casting the solution and evaporation of the volatile components, a relatively strong ion-exchange membrane is obtained which is capable of removing anions, such as nitrate or chromate from water. The ion-exchange polymer forms an interpenetrating network with the chains of the matrix polymer.
Claims28
A method of forming an ion-exchange membrane comprising the steps of:
- dissolving in common solvent a thermoplastic matrix polymer, a first monomer selected from polytertiary amines or vinyl pyridines and a second monomer selected from organic polyhalides said first and second monomers being capable of reaction to form a cationically charged, polyquaternary, ion-exchange polymer;
- evaporating the solvent while reacting the monomers to form said cationically charged, polyquaternary, ion-exchange polymer which forms a network interpenetrating the chains of the matrix polymer.
An ion-exchange membrane comprising:
- a linear thermoplastic matrix polymer;
- and
- a cross-linked, cationically charged, polyquaternary, ion-exchange network polymer interpenetrating the chains of the matrix polymer, said polyquaternary polymer comprising the reaction product of a first monomer selected from polytertiary amines or vinyl pyridines and a second monomer selected from organic polyhalides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.