Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) as a Membrane in Electrolysis Cells

The Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (EOG) used aboard all operational U.S. nuclear submarines utilizes an asbestos diaphragm to separate the electrochemically produced hydrogen and oxygen gasses. Due to environmental, safety and economic considerations, a program to develop a substitute diaphragm material was implemented.

After considerable testing, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) was determined to have the requisite material characteristics to be a replacement for asbestos. A successful two thousand-hour test of PPS cloth diaphragms in an EOG was performed, however there were some initial operational problems caused by an inadequate hydrophilic treatment of the PPS cloth.