ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANES - SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATIONS

New concepts of separation based on electrochemical interactions were realized due to the successful developments of the electrically conductive membrane (called electromembrane). This electromembrane differs from the conventional ion exchange membrane due to the nature of the separation mechanism. The separation in an electromembrane is based on the electrical potential and/or magnetic field "barrier" generated by passing current through the membrane, while the separation in a conventional ion-exchange membrane relies on the relative ionic affinity of the compounds being separated. It is this characteristic which provides a unique opportunity for this new class of membrane. Two methods were chosen in preparing environmentally stable electromembranes. Firstly, the electromembrane was synthesized using intrinsically conducting polymers, such as polyaniline and polypyrrole. Secondly, fabrication of electromembranes was made using the ion enhanced metallization method. Both methods successfully demonstrated the ability to obtain a stable conductivity on the chosen polymer membranes. The major applications of these electromembranes are the separation of biomaterials, hydrogen recovery systems, fuel cells, pollution control, and drug control release systems. © 1990.