Diffusion and Selective Transport of Alkali Cations on Cation-Exchange Membrane

The diffusion coefficients and selective transport for alkali metal cations through a charged polysulfonated ICE-450 ion-exchange membrane were measured as a function of pH at 25°C. The permeability and diffusion coefficients were found to increase in the sequence Cs+ ≥ K+ > Na+ > Li+. The relationship between the permeability and the diffusion coefficients, and the hydrated radii of cations in the membrane were shown. This sequence was also explained by considering the hydration of ions in the membrane. The selectivity transport of K—Na and K—Li binary systems at various pH gradients through the membrane were also investigated under various conditions. In the selective transport of metal ions, the selectivity depended on both the hydrated ionic size and the interaction between the fixed groups in the membrane and the metal ions. © 1995, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.