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Simplified Universal Equations for Ionic Conductivity and Transference Number

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Nernst-Einstein equation can provide a reasonable estimate of the ionic conductivity of dilute solutions. For concentrated solutions, alternate methods such as Green–Kubo relations and Einstein relations are more suitable to account for ion-ion interactions. Such computations can be expensive for multicomponent systems. Simplified mathematical expressions like the Nernst-Einstein equation do not exist for concentrated multicomponent mixtures. Newman’s treatment of multicomponent concentrated solutions yields a conductivity relation in terms of species concentration and Onsager phenomenological coefficients. However, the estimation of these phenomenological coefficients is not straightforward. Here, mathematical formulations that relate the phenomenological coefficients with the friction coefficients are developed, leading to simplified, ready-to-use expressions of conductivity and transference numbers that can be used for a wide range of ionic mixtures. This approach involves spectral decomposition of the matrix of Onsager phenomenological coefficients. The general analytical expressions for conductivity and transference number are simplified for binary electrolytes, and numerical solutions are provided for ternary and quaternary mixtures with ion dissociation.

Research Organization:
Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0022321
OSTI ID:
2580122
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 171; ISSN 0013-4651
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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