Acid/base properties of poly(4-vinylpyridine) anchored within microporous membranes

Membranes consisting of poly(4-vinylpyridine) anchored within the pores of microporous polypropylene and polyethylene membranes exhibit a very large, fully reversible change in permeability over a very narrow pH range (pH valve). A detailed examination of the acid/base properties of the incorporated poly(4-vinylpyridine) has been undertaken in order to understand the factors affecting the position (pH) at which this valve operates. It was shown …