Microstructure and Transport-Selectivity Properties of Ion Exchange Polymers

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This project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of mass transport through ion exchange polymer films. Different microstructures of ion exchange polymers, which exhibit local short range order (5 to 100 nanometers), will be induced through thermal processing as well as by sorption in microstructured substrates such as polycarbonate membranes and latex spheres. The microstructure of the polymer layer will be evaluated by infrared and X-ray spectroscopies and its transport-selectivity determined by electrochemical methods. Mathematical models will be developed for the relationships between these properties. Mass transport through ion exchange membranes and its enhancement through electrostatic effects is an important field both scientifically and technologically, with implications for biological systems. Development of generalized relationships describing their transport characteristics will facilitate optimization of separators for specific applications, design of catalysts with active sites situated in microstructured matrices that control the transport of selected species, and fabrication of modified electrodes for electrochemical catalysis and analysis.