Capacitive Deionization of NaCl and NaNO3 Solutions with Carbon Aerogel Electrodes

TLDR

Capacitive deionization removes ions from water using electricity instead of chemicals, avoiding the need for regeneration chemicals typical of ion exchange. The process pumps water through an electrochemical cell where, upon polarization, ions are captured in the electric double layers on the carbon aerogel electrodes. LLNL developed a capacitive deionization system using carbon aerogel electrodes that effectively purifies water, and the study reports how cell voltage and cycling affect electrosorption capacities for NaCl.

Abstract

A process for the capacitive deionization of water with a stack of carbon aerogel electrodes has been developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Unlike ion exchange, one of the more conventional deionization processes, no chemicals are required for regeneration of the system. Electricity is used instead. Water with various anions and cations is pumped through the electrochemical cell. After polarization, ions are electrostatically removed from the water and held in the electric double layers formed at the surfaces of electrodes. The water leaving the cell is purified, as desired. The effects of cell voltage and cycling on the electrosorption capacities for NaCl and have been investigated and are reported here.