Cation and Anion Exchange Membranes Prepared by Radiation-Induced Graft Polymerization for Application in Electrodialysis

Cation and anion exchange membranes were prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of ethyl styrenesulfonate and chloromethyl styrene, respectively, onto poly (ethylene-alt-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films, followed by hydrolysis in the former case and quaternization in the latter case. The degree of grafting as well as the ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the conductivity of the prepared membranes were investigated. Furthermore, the cation and anion exchange membranes were tested in an electrodialysis cell using CsNO3 aqueous solution in the dilute compartment. It was found that the high-IEC membranes enhanced the electrodialysis speed, while the low-IEC membranes showed the high percent removal.