Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems

Abstract Conventional flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) often exhibits performance constraints stemming from elevated ion migration resistance associated with diminished conductivity within the desalination chamber, particularly under complex aqueous matrices. This investigation introduc...

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Main Authors: Siyao Zhang, Purui Wang, Wenchao Xue, Wanni Zhang, Fangyuan Liu, Chaoge Yang, Hanlong Liu, Yang Zhang, Zimeng Zhang, Chunpeng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:npj Clean Water
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00503-0
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author Siyao Zhang
Purui Wang
Wenchao Xue
Wanni Zhang
Fangyuan Liu
Chaoge Yang
Hanlong Liu
Yang Zhang
Zimeng Zhang
Chunpeng Zhang
author_facet Siyao Zhang
Purui Wang
Wenchao Xue
Wanni Zhang
Fangyuan Liu
Chaoge Yang
Hanlong Liu
Yang Zhang
Zimeng Zhang
Chunpeng Zhang
author_sort Siyao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Conventional flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) often exhibits performance constraints stemming from elevated ion migration resistance associated with diminished conductivity within the desalination chamber, particularly under complex aqueous matrices. This investigation introduces a symmetric anion-exchange membrane (AEM) configuration engineered to circumvent these conductivity limitations and enhance arsenic removal efficacy. Relative to conventional designs, the symmetric-AEM configuration demonstrated an approximate 19.4% enhancement in arsenic removal efficiency. For influent streams with initial arsenic concentrations of 1000 μg·L⁻¹, effluent concentrations were diminished below the analytical detection limit (0.02 μg·L⁻¹) employing a two-stage sequential process. This configuration sustains or potentially enhances desalination-chamber conductivity by optimizing ion migration pathways and facilitating anion compensation via highly mobile chloride ions. The contributions of chloride ions as supporting electrolytes and the transformations of arsenic valence states were interrogated, providing mechanistic insights into the observed performance improvements. Our findings signify a practical advancement in FCDI, presenting a potentially robust and efficacious strategy for arsenic remediation in contaminated groundwater. Thus, the symmetric-AEM configuration represents a significant advancement toward the broader implementation and practical application of FCDI systems for potable water production.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2059-7037
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Clean Water
spelling doaj-art-28af05fc6a4f453c9ec22a685dbd220a2025-08-20T03:45:40ZengNature Portfolionpj Clean Water2059-70372025-08-018111110.1038/s41545-025-00503-0Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systemsSiyao Zhang0Purui Wang1Wenchao Xue2Wanni Zhang3Fangyuan Liu4Chaoge Yang5Hanlong Liu6Yang Zhang7Zimeng Zhang8Chunpeng Zhang9Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversityKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversityDepartment of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto UniversityKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversitySchool of Mines, China University of Mining & TechnologyKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversityKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversityState Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of TechnologyKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin UniversityAbstract Conventional flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) often exhibits performance constraints stemming from elevated ion migration resistance associated with diminished conductivity within the desalination chamber, particularly under complex aqueous matrices. This investigation introduces a symmetric anion-exchange membrane (AEM) configuration engineered to circumvent these conductivity limitations and enhance arsenic removal efficacy. Relative to conventional designs, the symmetric-AEM configuration demonstrated an approximate 19.4% enhancement in arsenic removal efficiency. For influent streams with initial arsenic concentrations of 1000 μg·L⁻¹, effluent concentrations were diminished below the analytical detection limit (0.02 μg·L⁻¹) employing a two-stage sequential process. This configuration sustains or potentially enhances desalination-chamber conductivity by optimizing ion migration pathways and facilitating anion compensation via highly mobile chloride ions. The contributions of chloride ions as supporting electrolytes and the transformations of arsenic valence states were interrogated, providing mechanistic insights into the observed performance improvements. Our findings signify a practical advancement in FCDI, presenting a potentially robust and efficacious strategy for arsenic remediation in contaminated groundwater. Thus, the symmetric-AEM configuration represents a significant advancement toward the broader implementation and practical application of FCDI systems for potable water production.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00503-0
spellingShingle Siyao Zhang
Purui Wang
Wenchao Xue
Wanni Zhang
Fangyuan Liu
Chaoge Yang
Hanlong Liu
Yang Zhang
Zimeng Zhang
Chunpeng Zhang
Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
npj Clean Water
title Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
title_full Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
title_fullStr Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
title_full_unstemmed Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
title_short Symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in FCDI systems
title_sort symmetric anion exchange membranes enhance arsenic removal and overcome conductivity limitations in fcdi systems
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00503-0
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