Barrier effects of polyaniline layer in surface modified MF-4SK/Polyaniline membranes

An express method of synthesis of surface-modified membrane composites is suggested that allows obtaining heterogeneous materials featuring effects of the blocking of the transport of solvent ions and molecules. Studies using the methods of atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and IR spectroscopy show that polyaniline is in the form of emeraldine and water at the interface of polyaniline aromatic chains and initial membrane sulfogroups is in a structured state due to formation of interpolymer complexes. This determines higher thermal stability of composites and specific morphology of the polyaniline layer. Measurement of electroosmotic and diffusion permeability and also membrane conductivity in HCl solutions (with the concentration of 0.01 to 2 M) shows the blocking effect of the polyaniline layer causing a significant decrease in transport characteristics in a wide range of concentrations of equilibrium solutions. A model of structural heterogeneity of composites is offered that takes into account the presence of an additional structural element, polyaniline, in the basic polymer matrix. Mechanisms of the observed barrier effects are discussed. Comparison of the transport-structural parameters of the MF-4SK membrane and MF-4SK/PAn composites allows elucidating the role of polyaniline in formation of transport routes for ion and solvent fluxes.