Advanced electrodialysis techniques for analytical separation: A comprehensive review

Electrodialysis has increasingly gained attention as a versatile and selective separation technique in analytical chemistry. Unlike conventional methods, electrodialysis leverages an applied electric field to transport ions across ion-exchange membranes, enabling the targeted isolation and removal of a matrix during the enrichment of ionic species. This capability is particularly advantageous for complex sample matrices that require minimal interference and high analytical sensitivity. The development of advanced membrane materials, including monovalent cation-permselective membranes, chelate-type membranes, and chiral-imprinted membranes, has further enhanced the selectivity, resolution, and stability of electrodialysis systems, expanding their application across various fields such as environmental monitoring, biomedical analysis, and industrial process control. Recent studies have integrated electrodialysis with high-performance detectors in ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Examples include the preconcentration of trace metals from seawater, removal of alkali cations from battery components, and identification of chiral compounds with high enantioselectivity. In many cases, electrodialysis provides cleaner baselines, improved detection limits, and extended instrument lifespan by eliminating interfering species prior to analysis. Furthermore, advancements in flow-type electrodialysis and microfluidic systems have opened new pathways for automated and miniaturized analytical platforms. Overall, electrodialysis offers a sustainable and efficient approach to analytical separation, providing low reagent consumption, high selectivity, and the potential for continuous operation. Thus, electrodialysis is a promising candidate for next-generation sample preparation and ion-specific manipulation in analytical workflows, particularly in fields requiring high precision and minimal matrix interference. This review serves as a guide for future electrodialysis research and applications in analytical separation processes.