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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Ion-Exchange Membranes for the Fabrication of Reverse Electrodialysis Device
Published on: July 20, 2021
Differential ion transport induced electroosmosis and internal recirculation in heterogeneous osmosis membranes
R Qiao1, J G Georgiadis, N R Aluru
1NSF Science and Technology Center of Advanced Materials for Purifcation of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Abstract:
Water and ion transport through a heterogeneous membrane separating two electrolyte solutions at different concentrations is investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. The membrane features pairs of oppositely charged pores with identical diameters. Simulation results indicate that the differential transport of K(+) and Cl(-) ions through the membrane pores creates an electrical potential difference across the membrane, which then induces an electroosmotic water flux. The induced electroosmosis creates an internal recirculation loop of water between adjacent pores. The implications of these new observations are discussed.
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