AbstractPoly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)–acrylonitrile(AN)–N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAAm) graft copolymer latex membranes were prepared and properties of the membranes were compared with those of PVA–AN graft latex membranes and Cuprophane PT‐150. The physical constants of HEAAm were determined and the tautomerization between hydroxyethyl amide group and aminoethyl ester group upon pH changes was ascertained by infrared spectrum of poly(HEAAm) film. An increase in HEAAm content in the membrane enhanced permeabilities of solute in aqueous solutions in comparison with PVA–AN graft latex membranes, maintaining good mechanical properties in wet state. With pH variation, the permeability of the nonionic solute was unchanged, but that of the anionic solute in acidic condition was superior to that in basic condition, and the permeability of the cationic solute exhibited the opposite trend. The behavior of ionic solute were attributable to the effect of the tautomerization of the functional group in t
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