• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.338-345
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• 2015

Poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polyether imide (PEI) were sulfonated and aminated to create sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) (SPPO) and aminated polyether imide (APEI), respectively. Characterization of the SPPO and APEI were performed via measurements of FTIR, thermogravimetry (TGA), swelling degree, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and ion conductivity. Next, the surfaces of these membranes were modified by surface fluorination at room temperature. The surface fluorinated SPPO and APEI membranes underwent characterization again for the mentioned measurements to determine any differences. The 3 types of bi-polar membranes were prepared by varying the IEC of the APEI at a fixed SPPO IEC value, which were applied to the low and high NaCl concentration of feed solution at the different current density, respectively. The hypochlorite concentration derived from the surface fluorinated membranes was dependent on the IEC of the APEI and ranged from 491 to 692 ppm at $80mA/m^2$. At low current density of $5mA/m^2$, the hypochlorite concentrations ranged from 18 to 28 ppm for the 4 hrs surface fluorinated membranes and their durability increased greatly.