Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.253, No.1, 88-93, 2002
Dielectric relaxation on the intermediate layer in a bipolar membrane under the water splitting phenomenon - I. Shift of the dielectric properties by means of time-dependent impedance measurements
In this study, we examined the dielectric properties of an intermediate layer in a bipolar membrane, which is composed of a negatively charged layer and a positively charged layer joined in series. As a result of the time-dependent impedance measurements of charged membranes, the negative increment in electric conductivity and the positive increment in electric capacity were observed only, in the case of a bipolar membrane under the application of reverse-biased voltages, which were quite different from the behavior of both monopolar membranes and of a bipolar membrane under forward-biased voltages. Further, the observed shifts showed a nearly constant value against the reverse-biased voltage. It is concluded that these characteristics coincide with the process of ion exclusion in the intermediate layer and are attributed to the water splitting mechanism.
Keywords:bipolar membrane;water splitting;intermediate layer;electric conductivity;electric capacity;impedance measurement