A Simple Model for Ac Impedance Spectra in Bipolar Membranes

A new model accounting for the ac impedance spectra of synthetic ion-exchange bipolar membranes is presented. The theoretical approach is based on the Nernst−Planck and Poisson equations and applies some of the concepts used in the semiconductor pn junctions to the case of a bipolar membrane. The results presented are the current−voltage curves and the impedance spectra at electric currents above the limiting current. It is shown that the model is able to identify the main contributions to the bipolar membrane impedance and gives valuable information about the bipolar junction structure and its influence on the characteristic parameters involved in the field-enhanced water dissociation phenomenon.