ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE, FREESTANDING, POROUS, POLYMER FILM FOR USE IN CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION

摘要

Preferred embodiments of an electrically conductive, freestanding, porous, polymer film (40) include multiple ribs (46) projecting from one or both of the major surfaces (42) and (44) of the polymer film. The polymer film further includes a polymer matrix binding a material composition having electrical conductivity properties. The material composition includes a carbonaceous, electrochemically active powder and an electrically conductive agent, and the polymer matrix includes an ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin having a molecular weight that provides sufficient molecular chain entanglement to form a microporous film with freestanding characteristics. The polymer film may be used in an electrochemical cell (60) for use in purifying water by capacitive deionization.