The salt splitting performance of an electrolysis cell incorporating a novel composite membrane consisting of a thin film of an amorphous ceramic with NASICON composition false(Na1+xZr2SixP3−xO12,0⩽x⩽3false) deposited on commercial cation-selective polymeric membranes was evaluated. We have investigated how the ceramic film thickness and the technique of deposition affected the base current efficiency (BCE) for the production of sodium hydroxide from sodium sulfate. It was found that when full coverage of the polymeric substrate was achieved, the ceramic film improved the salt-splitting performance of the polymeric membrane, even when localized surface defects were present. The study showed that the BCE of the electrolysis cell was the same whether the cation-selective composite membrane used was formed by pulsed laser deposition or by sputtering. Operating the cell above room temperature, and at a high anolyte concentration increased the base current efficiency for sodium hydroxide production. © 2001 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Sodium Salt-Splitting Performance of a Novel Ceramic-Polymer Composite Cation-Selective Membrane.-The Na + /H + selectivity of a polymeric cation-exchange membrane can be enhanced by the deposition of a NASICON-like Na 1+x Zr 2 SixP 3−x O 12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) ceramic thin film on its surface. Optimal current efficiencies for the production of NaOH from Na 2 SO 4 in an electrolysis cell are obtained when the ceramic layer thickness on R-4010 polymeric membranes is in the 70-100 nm range. A discussion of how the technique of film deposition affects the base current efficiency is given. -(CORMIER, L. M.; MA, F.; BAH, S. T.; GUETRE, S.; MEUNIER, M.; PALEOLOGOU, M.; YELON, A.; J. Electrochem. Soc. 149 (2002) 1, D21-D26; Dep. Eng. Phys., Ec. Polytech., Montreal, Que. H3C 3A7, Can.; EN)