Structure and ion permeability of poly (L-glutamic acid) membranes prepared under a high electric field

Poly (L-glutamic acid) (PLG) membranes were prepared under an electric field (0 . 6400 V). The effects of the electric field applied on the membrane structure and salt (LiCl, KCl) permeation were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and permeability measurements, respectively, The SEM pictures for membranes prepared under 0 V and 3000 V showed that PLG domains were elongated to the direction of the electric field and at the same time the application of electric field enhanced mixing of the two domains, PLG and the crosslinker. Appreciable enhancement of the salt permeability was observed for membranes prepared under electric fields (Max. 2.5 times for LiCl), which was ascribed to reduction of tortuosity due to the observed deformation of PLG domains.