Research on nanostructure-controlled functional membranes using high-energy ion beams; Fluoropolymer-based porous and ion-exchange membranes

Yamaki, Tetsuya*; Kitamura, Akane; Sawada, Shinichi*; Koshikawa, Hiroshi*

This review paper is devoted to two topics, i.e., fluoropolymer-based porous and ion-exchange membranes, both of which include the creation of nanostructure-controlled functional membranes with high-energy ion beams. Latent tracks of the MeV-GeV heavy ions in a polymer foil can sometimes be chemically etched out to form a membrane with micro- and nano-sized through-pores, the so-called ion-track membrane. Our focus is on ion-track membranes of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and cation- and anion-exchange membranes (CEMs and AEMs, respectively).