Web Release Date: April 7,
Differential Ion Transport Induced Electroosmosis and Internal Recirculation in Heterogeneous Osmosis Membranes
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, NSF Science & Technology Center of Advanced Materials for Purifcation of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631
Received February 2, 2006
Revised March 23, 2006
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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