Influence of electrolyte on concentration-induced conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff of ion-exchange membranes

In ion-exchange membranes (IEMs), the concentration-induced tradeoff between conductivity and permselectivity constrains process performance. This study investigates impacts of different electrolytes on conductivity-permselectivity commercial cation anion exchange membranes. Nine electrolyte solutions containing mono-, di-, trivalent ions, spanning 1.5 orders magnitude in concentration were examined. Effective is found to be determined by valency mobility counterion insensitive co-ion identity. Apparent declines with higher lower co-ion. Overall, IEMs exhibited behaviors across investigated. The disparate trends are shown governed counter- valencies, diffusivity. sheds light principal factors underpinning advances understanding attainable performance more complex water chemistries that pertinent for practical IEM applications.