Perfluorinated membranes mechanically reinforced

Uranous nitrate [U(N03)4] solution is used for the quantitative reduction of plutonium from loaded tributyl phosphate (TBP) phase [8]. Membrane cell technology was investigated for the production of 100% uranous nitrate solution [9], which is to be used in the partition cycle of the PUREX process in the fuel reprocessing plant. The membranes used hitherto have suffered from mechanical instability. A study was carried out at the BARC to obtain 100% uranous nitrate solution using a membrane-based electrolytic cell. The membrane used in this study was a thin polymer film reinforced with a Teflon fabric. The film was used as a separator between the anolyte and catholyte chambers, which are made of perfluorinated polymers, thus offering high thermal and chemical stability. 

Perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymers, such as Nafion membranes, were the most commonly used materials in practical systems for their high proton conductivity and extremely high oxidative stability. However, due to the poor dimensional stability, low mechanical properties of Nafion at high humidity and high temperature, and high cost, an essential need for cost-effective and reinforced substitutes with improved performance arises [193-195]. Nafion blended with the second component could not only reduce the cost, but also improve the mechanical properties and the dimensional stability. Recently, the reinforced composite membranes based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structures of Nafion , polyimidazole (PI) [196-198], polybenzimidazole (PBI) [199], and poly(vinyIidene fluoride) (PVDF) [200] were reported. As shown in Fig. 2.35, the composite membranes with... 

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