A novel bilayer cation-exchange membrane-consisting of a thick layer of a pristine perfluorinated membrane MF-4SC (Russian equivalent of Nafion®-117) and a thinner layer (1 μm) of the membrane, on a base of glassy polymer of internal microporosity poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP)-was prepared and characterized. Using the physicochemical characteristics of one-layer membranes MF-4SC and PTMSP in 0.05 M HCl and NaCl solutions, the asymmetric current-voltage curves (CVC) of the bilayer composite were described with good accuracy up to the overlimiting regime, based on the "fine-porous membrane" model. The MF-4SC/PTMSP bilayer composite has a significant asymmetry of CVC that is promising for using it in electromembrane devices, such as membrane detectors, sensors, and diodes.
Keywords: asymmetry of current–voltage curve; bilayer MF-4SC/PTMSP composite membrane; membrane sensors and diodes; “fine porous membrane” model.