Preparation of bipolar membranes. II

The bipolar multilayer membrane was prepared by a new technique. The interfacial layer and cation layer were formed by only one step. The anion and cation layers were made from the same material from which chloromethylated polysulfone was used as a basic material. The bipolar membranes were composed of a solvent-resistant anion layer with crosslinking matrix by the reaction of chloromethylated polysulfone in DMF with diamine; an ultrathin interfacial layer from chloromethylated polysulfone solution in DMF, containing cation-exchange resin and both quaternary and nonquaternary amine groups; and a cation layer from chloromethylated polysulfone dispersing cation resin powder. The prepared bipolar membrane exhibits a lower voltage drop over 100 mA/cm(2) and stable performances at a long-term operation. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.