HYDRATION OF GRAFTED FLUOROPLASTIC SULFOC ATIONIC MEMBRANES

Sorption of water by and hydration of sulfocationic membranes prepared by radiation grafting of styrene to poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-vinyl idene fluoride) were studied. Membranes in H+- and D+-forms and the me mbranes neutralized with KOH were examined. A number of specific featu res inherent to these membranes were discovered; these were related to the specific features observed in the polymerization of monomers sorb ed in polymer matrices. The discovered regularities were compared to t he patterns reported for membranes prepared by other methods (e.g., su lfonated polystyrene and fluoroplastic membranes carboxylated by graft ing). The effects observed were explained. Interpretation of the compl ex IR absorption at 2000 - 4000 cm-1, which is associated with the hyd roxy groups, is suggested.