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04

2025

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09

Laboratory electrodialysis: Achieving the conversion of salts to acids and bases

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In laboratory chemical research and small-scale preparation scenarios, electrodialysis technology can ingeniously achieve "salt to acid and base", providing a new path for low-cost acid and base preparation and resource recycling. Its core principle is centered around the selective permeability of ion-exchange membranes and the driving effect of electric fields.
The core device of this process is composed of an anode, cathode, cation exchange membrane (CM) and anion exchange membrane (AM) alternately arranged, forming three key areas: the desalination chamber, the acid chamber and the alkali chamber. Take the conversion of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution as an example. During the experiment, the NaCl solution is introduced into the desalination chamber, and dilute acid and dilute alkali (or deionized water) are respectively injected into the acid chamber and the alkali chamber as the initial electrolyte. After the DC power supply is connected, the electric field generates a directional driving force: Na⁺ in the desalination chamber is attracted by the anode and penetrates the cation exchange membrane to enter the alkali chamber. Cl⁻ is attracted by the cathode and penetrates the anion exchange membrane into the acid chamber.

In the alkali chamber, Na⁺ combines with OH⁻ produced by water electrolysis, gradually forming a NaOH solution. In the acid chamber, Cl⁻ combines with H⁺ produced by water electrolysis to gradually form HCl solution. The desalination chamber, due to the loss of ions, significantly reduces the salt concentration, achieving the conversion goal of "salt separation and acid-base generation". The entire process does not require high temperature or high pressure. It can be completed merely through the regulation of the electric field. Moreover, the concentration of acid and alkali can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the voltage, flow rate and operating time, meeting the miniaturization requirements of different concentrations of acid and alkali in the laboratory.

In laboratory applications, this technology has significant advantages. On the one hand, high-purity acids and bases can be prepared by using low-value salt solutions, such as sulfuric acid and ammonia water from ammonium sulfate solution, which can reduce the cost of experimental consumables. On the other hand, it can achieve the resource utilization of waste liquid. For instance, when treating experimental wastewater containing nitrate, it can be converted into nitric acid and alkaline solution, reducing pollutant emissions. In addition, compared with traditional acid and base preparation methods, the electrodialysis process does not produce harmful gases, has high operational safety, and is more in line with the requirements of green experiments in laboratories.

It should be noted that in laboratory operations, highly selective ion-exchange membranes should be selected to avoid membrane contamination affecting the conversion efficiency. At the same time, the current density and temperature need to be controlled to prevent local excessive electrolysis from causing membrane damage. With the development of membrane material and device miniaturization technology, the efficiency and applicability of laboratory electrodialysis for "salt-to-acid-base" conversion will be further enhanced, providing more convenient technical support for fields such as chemical synthesis and sample pretreatment.

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