• Membrane Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2003

The effects of bipolar interface formed on the surface of cation-exchange membrane on water splitting phenomena were investigated. Results showed that the formation of immobilized bipolar interface resulted in significant water splitting during electrodialysis. In particular, the immobilized bipolar interface was easily created on the cation-exchange membrane surface in the electrodialytic systems where multivalent cations served as an electrolyte. Multivalent cations with low solubility product resulted in violent water splitting because they were easily precipitated on the membrane surface in hydroxide form. Therefore, the bipolar interface consisting of H- and OH-affinity groups were formed on the membrane-solution interface. Apparently, water splitting was largely activated with the help of strong electric fields generated between the metal hydroxide layer and fixed charge groups on the membrane surface. Likewise, the accumulation of large molecular counter ions on the membrane surface led to the formation of a fixed bipolar structure that could cause significant water splitting in the over-limiting current region. Therefore, the prevention of the immobilization of bipolar interface on the membrane surface is very essential in improving the process efficiency in a high-current operation.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2005

Until recently, only perfluorinated ionomer membrane such as Nation and Aciflex practically could be successfully used in water splitting. However, these membrane are limited by high cost and loss of membrane performance such as proton conductivity at elevated temperature above 80$^{\circ}C$. The sulfonated aromatic polymers such as PEEK and PSf, polyimides, and polybenzimidazoles are expected to have lower production cost as well as satisfactory chemical and electrochemical properties. HPAs and sulfonated polymers could have a significant influence on water electrolysis performance at elevated temperatures above 80$^{\circ}C$, but these phenomena have received relatively little attention until now. Therefore, it would be desirable to investigate the interrelation between the HPA and sulfonated polymer, such as SPEEK. The SPEEK membrane were prepared by the sulfonation of PEEK, and HPA was blended with SPEEK to increase the mechanical strength and electrochemical characteristics. As a results, electrochemical characteristics such as proton conductivity and ion exchange capacity were improved with the addion of 0.5 g HPA. And the properties of polymer electrolyte, SPEEK/HPA were better than Nation membrane at elevated temperature above 80$^{\circ}C$.