Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization Using an Aqueous Electrolyte with a High Salt Concentration

Environ Sci Technol. 2016 Jun 7;50(11):5892-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04640. Epub 2016 May 18.

Abstract

Flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) is novel capacitive deionization (CDI) technology that exhibits continuous deionization and a high desalting efficiency. A flow-electrode with high capacitance and low resistance is required for achieving an efficient FCDI system with low energy consumption. For developing high-performance flow-electrode, studies should be conducted considering porous materials, conductive additives, and electrolytes constituting the flow-electrode. Here, we evaluated the desalting performances of flow-electrodes with spherical activated carbon and aqueous electrolytes containing various concentrations of NaCl in the FCDI unit cell for confirming the effect of salt concentration on the electrolyte of a flow-electrode on desalting efficiency. We verified the necessity of a moderate amount of salt in the flow-electrode for compensating for the reduction in the performance of the flow-electrode, attributed to the resistance of water used as the electrolyte. Simultaneously, we confirmed the potential use of salt water with a high salt concentration, such as seawater, as an aqueous electrolyte for the flow-electrode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Capacitance
  • Electrodes
  • Salinity*
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Water Purification*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride