Development of multicomponent transport theory and transport data for membranes in concentrated electrolytes. Final report

Abstract

This report summarizes the effort to extend the theory and measurement techniques of multicomponent mass transfer in membranes. The results of the early experiments suggested that the transport properties might be accurately determined using a radiotracer method, and that certain transport properties of Nafion might depend strongly on the applied current density. Therefore, a program was initiated to investigate the effects of current density on the membrane transport properties using a radiotracer technique. The solubilities of sodium and chloride ions in Nafion 7-1100 have also been determined. It is concluded that the radiotracer method is a viable means of determining multiple transport numbers and self-permeability coefficients in a single experiment. Further, the method is at least as accurate as the more conventional Hittorf method. It is apparent that these radiotracer methods can be effectively utilized in the investigation of multicomponent mass transfer in a wide variety of membranes.