Preparation and characterization of hydroxyl ion-conducting interpenetrating polymer network based on PVA and PEI

Novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks (sIPNs) based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) have been prepared via crosslinking reactions with respective crosslinking agent, 1,4-dibromobutane and glutaraldehyde (GA). IPNs, sIPNs and PEI/PVA blend membranes are characterized in detail by Fourier transform Infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, mechanical properties, water uptake, swelling ratio, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), hydroxide ion (OH−) conductivity. Moderate water uptake and swelling ratio are obtained by the IPN derived from PEI:PVA (1:1), achieving 78.4 and 36.8 %, respectively. And the IPN also shows an acceptable OH− conductivity of 4.87 mS/cm at 80 °C.