Our study titled “Influence of electrolyte on the concentration-induced conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff of ion-exchange membranes” has been published in Journal of Membrane Science.
Membranes are ubiquitously bound by a tradeoff between permeability and selectivity. In ion-exchange membranes (IEMs), the conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff caused by external solution concentration constrains process performance. In this study, we investigate the impacts of various electrolyte solutions and established that counter- and co-ion valencies, and counterion diffusivity are the principal factors govern the tradeoff trends. Findings of the study can advance the formulation of theoretical frameworks to quantitatively describe conductivity and permselectivity in different solution concentrations and compositions.
