An electrochemically switched ion exchange process with self-electrical-energy recuperation for desalination

Abstract Desalination is an important way to provide fresh water for our life. In this study, an electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) process based on self-electrical-energy recuperation concept was designed and realized for desalination, in which the self-generated electricity could provide the required energy for the ESIX process. As iron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF) and polypyrrole (PPy) were used as electroactive Na+ and Cl- ion exchange materials respectively, NaCl was successfully removed from the aqueous solution with a low energy consumption of 0.14 kWh·m-3 and a high ion exchange capacity of 79.6 mg·g-1. Moreover, the system also exhibited an excellent stability. It is expected that such an ESIX process with self-electrical-energy recuperation could enable more efficient desalination applications.