This work investigates various parameters affecting the water splitting of bipolar ion-exchange membranes. We show that the amount of functional groups and the water content of the interface layer have a strong influence on the bipolar membrane resistance. Use of anion exchange layers containing quaternary ammonium groups instead of bicyclic amines results in bipolar membranes with low electrical resistance. The influence of an iron and pyridine based catalyst in the bipolar membrane junction is investigated as well. We show that the pyridine based interface layer is a good tool to prepare tailor made bipolar membranes containing anion exchange layers with high base stability without having water splitting catalytic functional groups. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.