Process for producing ion exchange membranes, and the ion exchange

Abstract

The present invention relates to ion exchange membranes comprising soluble graft copolymer comprising a backbone of a first polymer having a main chain containing aromatic rings and a polymerizable vinyl or ring containing compound which contains at least one functional group which displays ion exchange functionality or may be converted to display ion exchange functionality, which is grafted onto said first polymer on at least one of said aromatic rings or on at least one benzylic carbon atom of said aromatic rings. The copolymer components may be selected to produce membranes for a variety of uses including electrodialytic processes such as electrodialytic concentration and separation processes, electrodialytic water splitting, electrolysis or electrolytic splitting of water and fuel cells for electrical generation; and pressure or chemical potential driven membrane processes such as ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, piezodialysis, diffusion dialysis and pervaporation. The ion exchange membranes of the present invention display excellent mechanical properties, electrical and mechanical stability to oxidizing acids, good permselectivity and resistance to fouling. Process for making said graft copolymers, and process for making specific graft copolymers are also disclosed.