Abstract
The efficiency of electrokinetic energy conversion across liquid membranes generated by cholesterol has been evaluated for both electroosmosis and streaming potential. The results thus obtained are analyzed in the light of non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory. It is pointed out that in the non-linear region the maximum conversion efficiency is not independent of the applied input force. Also, maximum conversion does not occur when the output force equals half its steady-state value. A discussion on the efficiency of electrokinetic energy conversion reveals that the results obtained by Blokhra et al. [ J. Membrane Sci., 21 (1984) 123] are inconsistent with the linear theories of steady-state thermodynamics. Finally, the tightness of the coupling between flow of matter and electricity has been examined.
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