Anion exchange membranes prepared from chloromethylstyrene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine

Strongly basic anion exchange membranes were prepared by the radical copolymerization of chloromethylstyrene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine. The formation of a three-dimensional structure and the presence of the quarternary pyridinium group were confirmed by infrared spectrum analysis and its strongly basic anion exchange properties. Their electrochemical properties and morphology were compared with those of the anion exchange membranes prepared from chloromethylstyrene-divinylbenzene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine-divinylbenzene. The chloromethylstyrene-2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine membranes were proved to have larger anion exchange capacity, smaller electric resistance, larger water content, and higher permeability than the chloromethylstyrene-divinylbenzene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine-divinylbenzene membranes. Also, the membranes have heterogeneity in the cross-linking structure.