he sulfonated polyethylene ion - exchange membrane

which is hydrophilic

resistance to solvents and acid-alkali

was prepared by a heterogeneousphotochemical chlorosulfonation of polyethylene film. Pervaporatioh separation ofdioxane/water mixture through this membrane indicates that both flux and separation factor are vary high when the fed is near azeotropic composition. The effectsof counterions

tffeperature

ion-exchange capacity and fed concentration on themparation properties were discussed. The transport of permeants was supposed to be through a "water channel" formed from the connection of water cluster in the membrane. The "water channel" model was supported by the facts that the dis-tance between two ion-groups is shorter than 10A for the membrane with 1 meq/g

and the apparent permeation activation energy of water in the membrane is near that of in water.