Removal of Ions from Water with Electrosorption Technology

摘要

Electrosorption is defined as potential-induced adsorption of ions onto the surface of charged electrode. When an electrical potential was applied to electrode, charged ions migrated to the electrode and are held in the electric double layer. Once external field is removed, the ions are quickly released back to bulk solution. Compared to conventional desalination technologies, electrosorption is an energy-efficient desalination process due to it operates at lower electrode potential (about 1-1.5 V) at which no electrolysis reactions occur. In addition, this process is environmentally attractive because it requires no chemicals for regeneration. Activated carbon is an effective electrode material for electrosorption. The material is inert, conductive, inexpensive, abundant and has high surface area to provide sufficient adsorption sites. Applications of electrosorption on ions removal for various kinds of water streams are introduced in this study.