Ion exchange polymers and a method for making ion exchange polymers

Abstract

An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anion exchange polymer composition comprising a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer, wherein the crosslinker monomer is a first reaction product of a first reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer and wherein the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. 
     
     
         2 . The anion exchange polymer composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cationic monomer is diallyldimethylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         3 . The anion exchange polymer composition of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of structural units with the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R, R′=H or CH 3  and X″=Cl″ or SO 4   2- . 
       
     
     
         4 . The anion exchange polymer composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first crosslinking monomer has the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R=H or CH 3 . 
       
     
     
         5 . The anion exchange polymer composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second crosslinking monomer has the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R′=H or CH 3 . 
       
     
     
         6 . The anion exchange polymer composition of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinker monomer, the cationic monomer, the first crosslinking monomer and the second crosslinking monomer are water soluble. 
     
     
         7 . A membrane comprising an anion exchange polymer that comprises a plurality of structural units with the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R, R′=H or CH 3  and X″=Cl″ or SO 4   2- . 
       
     
     
         8 . The membrane of  claim 7 , wherein the anion exchange polymer is supported by a support membrane or a fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The membrane of  claim 7 , wherein the membrane has a water content of about 30% to about 50%. 
     
     
         10 . The membrane of  claim 7 , wherein the membrane is an ion exchange membrane with an ion exchange capacity of from about 1.0 (meq/dg) to about 2.6 (meq/dg). 
     
     
         11 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the membrane has a water content of about 30% to about 50%