LOW-FREQUENCY DIELECTRIC-DISPERSION FROM ION PERMEABILITY OF MEMBRANES

Low-frequency dielectric behavior of membrane/electrolyte systems was studied with artificial membranes made from thin plastic films and NaC l electrolyte of various concentrations. A low-frequency dielectric di spersion or relaxation, which is associated with membrane pores and me mbrane permeability, was observed and investigated. A qualitative expl anation is proposed. Membrane structure characteristics, such as thick ness, pore size, and number, were found to affect significantly the lo w-frequency dielectric dispersion, which indicates some potential appl ications for low-frequency dielectric measurements in membrane-or tiss ue-related areas. (C) 1997 Academic Press.