Hydrophilic membranes for electrochemical devices and method for preparing same

United States Patent im

Gagnon et al.

111^

US005616246A

5,616,246 Apr. 1, 1997

[11] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

[54] HYDROPHILIC MEMBRANES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME

[75] Inventors: David R. Gagnon, St. Paul; Harlan L.

Krinke, May Township, Washington
County; Corazon C. Brizuela,
Woodbury, all of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Minnestoa Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.

[21] Appl. No.: 456,583
[22] Filed: Jun. 1,1995

Related U.S. Application Data

[62] Division of Ser. No. 122,807, Sep. 16, 1993, Pat. No. 5,443,727, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 775,969, Nov. 8, 1991, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 605,834, Oct. 30, 1990, abandoned, Ser. No. 605,754, Oct. 30, 1990, abandoned, Ser. No. 605,948, Oct. 30, 1990, abandoned, Ser. No. 605,921, Oct. 30,1990, abandoned, Ser. No. 605,828, Oct. 30, 1990, abandoned, and Ser. No. 605, 757, Oct. 30, 1990, abandoned.

[51] Int. CI.6 B01D 71/38

[52] U.S. CI 210/490; 204/290 R; 210/500.42

[58] Field of Search 210/500.42, 490;

429/249, 145; 427/245, 246; 204/301, 290 R,

296

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Articles having a complex geometric configuration have hydrophilicity imparted to at least a portion of surfaces of the articles while substantially retaining the complex geometric configuration. The hydrophilicity is imparted by an extremely thin, self-interlocking shell of tactic, hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol) enveloping the surfaces. A tactic polyvinyl alcohol) precursor applied to surfaces of the supporting structure is reacted in situ on the surfaces with a hydrolysis reagent to prepare the tactic, hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol) shell. The article having the hydrophilic shell is highly resistant to solvent washout. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be reversibly provided on regio-specific surfaces of the article. Articles in the form of membranes useful as residue barriers for electroplating devices, and separators for electrochemical cells are also described.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

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