Highly conductive ordered ion exchange membranes

Process for producing ion exchange membranes, which comprises the steps of:

• a) providing a matrix material, comprising a polymeric component chosen from the group consisting of monomeric and oligomeric polymer precursors and cross-linkable polymers;
• b) introducing in said matrix ion cation or anion exchange particles, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting particles or any combination thereof;
• or cation or anion exchange polymers, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting polymers, or any combination thereof;
• c) mixing said particles or dissolving said polymer of step (b) with said matrix, wherein said particles or said polymers are used in amounts from 20 to 40 wt % of the combined amount of said matrix, and said particles or polymers;
• d) forming the resulting mixture into membrane configuration;
• e) ordering by an electric field said particles or ordering by an electric field the domains of said polymer formed by polymer-matrix phase separation upon solvent evaporation or cooling, wherein said electric field has intensity from 50 to 20,000 V/cm;
• and
• f) if said matrix comprises or consists of a polymer precursor or a cross-linkable polymer, said precursor is cured concurrently with said ordering of said particles, or if the matrix comprises a polymer solution or polymer melt the said polymer solution is evaporated or the said polymer melt is maintained and then cooled concurrently with said ordering of said particles;
• wherein the resulting membrane thickness is between 10 to 500 microns.