Use of Hydrated Polyphenylene Oxide Sulphonate Ion Exchange Membranes for Artificial Kidneys

Abstract

ION exchange membranes of hydrated polyphenylene oxide sulphonate 0.2 mil thick have been used successfully to purify brackish water and other aqueous salt solutions by reverse osmosis¹. Water permeabilities ranged from 0.02 to 0.5 galmil/foot²-day-atm., with salt rejections of dissolved salts in the range of 70 to 95%. Water permeability was directly proportional to the water content of the membrane. Preliminary investigations with highly polar organic solute molecules which ionize little in water suggest that permeability of these species also increases with increasing water content of the membrane. As the water content of the membrane decreases, interaction of the solute molecule with the membrane functional group becomes important.