Studies on bipolar membranes

Bipolar membranes are composed of two distinct layers which are selective to ions of opposite charges. Because of this unique characteristics, bipolar membranes are able to electrically separate water into hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. These membranes in conjunction with conventional cation- and anion-exchange membranes in a cell stack, have been used for the production of acids and bases from their salts. Studies have been conducted to synthesize suitable bipolar membranes from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and ion-exchange resins with or without using plasticisers. Six types of bipolar membranes have been selected for studies in a laboratory stack containing 5 cell units of bipolar, cation- and anion-exchange membranes. Data have been collected for obtaining H2SO4 and NaOH from 0.5 N, 1 N and 1.5 N Na2SO4 solutions under different experimental conditions.