HYDROPHILIC PROPERTIES OF HETEROGENEOUS ION-EXCHANGE MEMBRANES

Processes of phase separation in swelling of heterogeneous ion-exchang e membranes are considered. Structural inhomogeneity of ion-exchange m aterials arising in the preparation of polymeric compositions from pol ar and nonpolar parts is discussed. Volume fractions of the main compo nents of heterogeneous membranes are determined by using the sorption- electrochemical technique. The technique of contact standard porosimet ry is used for quantitative estimation of the relation between free an d bound water in the structure of hydrated membranes. The results are interpreted from the viewpoint of water distribution in an ion-exchang er by effective radii of pores and according to different bonding ener gies of water in the structural elements of the membrane. Characterist ics of polymer components and pore space are combined for the first ti me. This makes it possible to interpret the structural organization of heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes and to substantiate the model of their structure.