Current efficiency of an ion-exchange membrane: Effect of piecewise continuous fixed charge distribution
Journal
Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Journal Volume
104
Journal Issue
15
Pages
3492-3495
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
The current efficiency £b for the transport of ions through an ion-exchange'membrane is analyzed theoretically. In particular, the effect of discretizing the fixed charges contained in the membrane into charged intervals on £b is investigated. We show that if the applied current density I is low, a membrane with a continuous linear fixed charge distribution has a higher £b than a membrane with evenly distributed charged intervals, and the larger the number of charged intervals the lower the £b. If I is high, a membrane with randomly distributed charged intervals may have a higher £b than that of a membrane with a continuous linear fixed charge distribution. It can be inferred that, as far as raising £b is concerned, distributing fixed charges discretely and/or randomly in a membrane has no practical advantage. ? 2000 American Chemical Society.
Type
journal article