| Abstract: | Acrylic acid (AA) and diethyleneglycol-dimethacrylate (DEGDM) are grafted onto 25 μm low-density radio-peroxided polyethylene. Monomer content is determined by exchange capacity measurements. Studies of electrical resistance and zero-current membrane potential allow for the determination of the influence of DEGDM on both the dissociation of grafted AA and the permselectivity of these so-obtained cation-exchange membranes. DEGDM, acting as a crosslinking agent, limits the AA degree of grafting, slightly increases the electrical resistance, but contributes to enhance the permselectivity. For example, when these grafted films are immersed in 3M NaCl aqueous solutions, the addition of DEGDM leads to an increase of the transport number of Na+ close to 20%. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
