Abstract: In this study, the 2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride group was introduced into chitosan in order to obtain the cationic modified chitosan (MCTS) and then the prepared MCTS was polyblended with PVA by using chemical cross-linking method to obtain the anion-exchange membranes (PVA/MCTS). . Various properties of the PVA/MCTS membranes such as ionic conductivity, molecular structure, micromorphology, thermal stability, mechanical strength and alkali resistance were tested by using AC-impedance spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravity analysis (TG), and tensile strength technique. The test results showed that the membrane prepared had excellent performance and the OH- conductivity reached 1.28×10-3 S/cm while water uptake was 87%. In addition, the PVA/ MCTS membranes showed high stability to alkaline under the condition of high temperature and concentration.

Key words: anion-exchange membrane; poly (vinyl alcohol) ; stability to alkaline; conductivity; modified chitosan