Novel method of producing ion exchange membrane
AssigneeJapan Atomic Energy Research Institute
InventorsSueo Machi, Isao Ishigaki, Takanobu Sugo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of producing an ion exchange membrane comprising irradiating a polyethylene film not more than 150 .mu.m thick with ionizing radiation for a total dose of 1-30 Mrads in vacuum or in an inert gas, bringing the irradiated film into contact with a 15 to 50 wt % aqueous solution of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid at 15.degree. to 50.degree. C. to have acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid graft copolymerized onto polyethylene, followed by treatment of the graft copolymer with a 2 to 10 wt % aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide.
Claims5
A method of producing an ion exchange membrane having an electrical resistance of 50.OMEGA. cm or lower and a uniform graft distribution comprising
- irradiating a polyethylene film not more than 150 .mu.m thick with ionizing radiation for a total dose of 1-30 Mrads in vacuum or in an inert gas,
- then contacting the irradiated film with a 15 to 50 wt% aqueous solution of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, substantially free of oxygen and which contains a homopolymerization inhibitor of a ferrous salt or a cupric salt to graft acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid onto the polyethylene film, for a time sufficient to provide a degree of grafting of at least 60%, and
- then treating the grafted film with a 2 to 10 wt% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide at a temperature of room temperature to 90.degree. C. for 5-120 minutes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.