Emerging Research in Electromembrane Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Electrochemical technologies based on ion-exchange membranes are well-established techniques and have gained importance in several areas, such as the treatment of water/wastewater, recovery of valuable substances, and energy production, due to their versatility and the lower impact caused on the environment when compared to other ion separation methods. The term “electromembrane processes” is often used to categorize these electrochemical technologies, which are based on ion migration through ion-exchange membranes under the influence of electric potential difference acting as the driving force. The most relevant electromembrane processes are electrodialysis (ED), electrodialysis reversal (EDR), electro-electrodialysis (EED), membrane electrolysis, electrometathesis (EMT), electro-ion substitution (EIS), electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBM), and electrodeionization (EDI), and the main differences between these technologies are based on the type of membranes (i.e., monopolar or bipolar) and electrodes (e.g., porous or flat) used, the system layout (e.g., two or several compartments), the application of reverse current, and the association with other separation technologies, such as ion-exchange resins. To overcome the major limitations of these techniques, such as fouling and scaling occurrence and high energy demand, and make their use on a large scale viable, dedicated studies must be conducted. Some of the topics that should be addressed in these studies are i) the fabrication/modification of ion-exchange membranes, ii) the development of new stack layouts, iii) hybrid processes involving other separation techniques, and iv) methods able to enhance mass transfer and mitigate fouling/scaling. This Special Issue is a knowledge platform gathering all recent advances in the broad scope of electromembrane processes. Articles, case studies, reviews, and communications are welcome, and will be held in high regard.

Prof. Dr. Valentín Pérez-Herranz
Dr. Kayo Santana Barros
Guest Editors

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