The simulation of semi-permeable membranes—osmosis, reverse osmosis and electro-osmosis in electrolyte solutions

✍ Scribed by J.G. Powles; S. Murad

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 324 KB
• Volume: 78
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-7322
• DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7322(98)00093-2

✦ Synopsis

We report computer simulations of semi-permeable membranes used to study electrolyte solutions undergoing osmosis, reverse osmosis, and electro-osmosis. The semipermeable roembrane, which is atomistic in nature, has been modeled using a novel technique developed by us rec~tly. Our results show a rather si~,nificant role played by solvation forces, which cause the formation of large molecular cluste~ in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. In addition, we have found external electric fields make large molecular clusters less energetically favorable, and this results in a large measurable effect in the rate of osmosis or reverse osmosis.