Thermodynamics of Electrolyte Systems

It is of special interest for many applications to consider adsorption of fiuids in matrices in the framework of models which include electrostatic forces. These systems are relevant, for example, to colloidal chemistry. On the other hand, electrodes made of specially treated carbon particles and impregnated by electrolyte solutions are very promising devices for practical applications. Only a few attempts have been undertaken to solve models with electrostatic forces, those have been restricted, moreover, to ionic fiuids with Coulomb interactions. We would hke to mention in advance that it is clear, at present, how to obtain the structural properties of ionic fiuids adsorbed in disordered charged matrices. Other systems with higher-order multipole interactions have not been studied so far. Thermodynamics of these systems, and, in particular, peculiarities of phase transitions, is the issue which is practically unsolved, in spite of its great importance. This part of our chapter is based on recent works from our laboratory [37,38]. 

Recently, there have been a number of significant developments in the modeling of electrolyte systems. Bromley (1), Meissner and Tester (2), Meissner and Kusik (2), Pitzer and co-workers (4, ,j5), and" Cruz and Renon (7j, presented models for calculating the mean ionic activity coefficients of many types of aqueous electrolytes. In addition, Edwards, et al. (8) proposed a thermodynamic framework to calculate equilibrium vapor-liquid compositions for aqueous solutions of one or more volatile weak electrolytes which involved activity coefficients of ionic species. Most recently, Beutier and Renon (9) and Edwards, et al.(10) used simplified forms of the Pitzer equation to represent ionic activity coefficients. 

Meissner, H.P. "Prediction of Activity Coefficients of Strong Electrolytes in Aqueous Systems," paper presented at symposium on "Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems with Industrial Application," Washington, D.C., October 22-25,... 

Several important energy-related applications, including hydrogen production, fuel cells, and CO2 reduction, have thrust electrocatalysis into the forefront of catalysis research recently. Electrocatalysis involves several physiochemical environmental dfects, which poses substantial challenges for the theoreticians. First, there is the electric potential which can aifect the thermodynamics of the system and the kinetics of the electron transfer reactions. The electrolyte, which is usually aqueous, contains water and ions that can interact directly with a surface and charged/polar adsorbates, and indirectly with the charge in the electrode to form the electrochemical double layer, which sets up an electric field at the interface that further affects interfacial reactivity. 

Pytkowicz M. and Cole M. R. (1980) Equilibrium and kinetic problems in mixed electrolyte solutions. In Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems with Industrial Applications (ed. S.A. Newman), ACS Symp. Series, 133, Washington, D.C., 644-652. 

Thermodynamic non-idealities are considered both in the transport equations and in the equilibrium relationships at the phase interface. If electrolytes are present, the liquid-phase diffusion coefficients should be corrected to account for the specific transport properties of electrolyte systems. 

Until recently the ability to predict the vapor-liquid equilibrium of electrolyte systems was limited and only empirical or approximate methods using experimental data, such as that by Van Krevelen (7) for the ammonia-hydrogen sulfide-water system, were used to design sour water strippers. Recently several advances in the prediction and correlation of thermodynamic properties of electrolyte systems have been published by Pitzer (5), Meissner (4), and Bromley ). Edwards, Newman, and Prausnitz (2) established a similar framework for weak electrolyte systems. 

Using these methods to describe an aqueous electrolyte system with its associated chemical equilibria involves a unique set of highly nonlinear algebraic equations for each set of interest, even if not incorporated within the framework of a complex fractionation program. To overcome this difficulty, Zemaitis and Rafal (8) developed an automatic system, ECES, for finding accurate solutions to the equilibria of electrolyte systems which combines a unified and thermodynamically consistent treatment of electrolyte solution data and theory with computer software capable of automatic program generation from simple user input. 

If the electrolyte is not specifically adsorbed then the surface excess of the cation is constant for constant electrode charge density. It follows that introduction of the function provides an easy route for analyzing experimental data obtained at constant electrode charge density. It also means that experimental data are not easily analyzed at constant electrode potential. Further details about the thermodynamics of these systems are given elsewhere [53, 54]. 

P15. Pitzer, K.S., "Thermodynamics of Aqueous Electrolytes at Various Temperatures, Pressures, and Compositions", Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems with Industrial Applications. Stephen A. Newman, e ., ACS Symposium Series 133, p. 451 (1980)... 

Foreword %n international conference on the Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AlChE), the National Science F=bundation (NSF), and the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), was held in Warrenton, Virginia, on October 22-25,1979. The papers presented reflected a great deal of research on electrolyte solutions. However, it was apparent that there was no fundamental document to tie all of the different information together and so to form a framework for solving real problems. 

It is well recognized that the addition of a large excess of an inert electrolyte has an effect on the kinetics and thermodynamics of electrochemical systems and in some cases it would be highly desirable to determine the influence of the electrolyte nature and concentration, and of the solvent, on the behaviour of such systems. The unique properties of microelectrodes allow electrochemical studies to be carried out in non-conventional media, such as very resistive solvents or in the absence of electrolyte (4). 

Chapter 2 (pVTx Properties of Hydrothermal Systems, H. R. Corti (Argentina) and I. M. Abdulagatov (Russia/ USA)) describes many theories and models developed to accurately reproduce the excess volmnetric properties and to assess the standard partial molar volmnes of the solute in aqueous electrolyte and nonelectrolyte solutions mider sub-and supercritical conditions. Most of these models and equations, particularly the equations of state, are used to compute both the thermodynamic properties of solutions and the phase equilibria. This chapter is concerned with theoretical approaches in modem chemical thermodynamics of hydrothermal systems. 

Ire boundary element method of Kashin is similar in spirit to the polarisable continuum model, lut the surface of the cavity is taken to be the molecular surface of the solute [Kashin and lamboodiri 1987 Kashin 1990]. This cavity surface is divided into small boimdary elements, he solute is modelled as a set of atoms with point polarisabilities. The electric field induces 1 dipole proportional to its polarisability. The electric field at an atom has contributions from lipoles on other atoms in the molecule, from polarisation charges on the boundary, and where appropriate) from the charges of electrolytes in the solution. The charge density is issumed to be constant within each boundary element but is not reduced to a single )oint as in the PCM model. A set of linear equations can be set up to describe the electrostatic nteractions within the system. The solutions to these equations give the boundary element harge distribution and the induced dipoles, from which thermodynamic quantities can be letermined. 

Electrolysis. Electrowinning of zirconium has long been considered as an alternative to the KroU process, and at one time zirconium was produced electrolyticaHy in a prototype production cell (70). Electrolysis of an aH-chloride molten-salt system is inefficient because of the stabiUty of lower chlorides in these melts. The presence of fluoride salts in the melt increases the stabiUty of in solution, decreasing the concentration of lower valence zirconium ions, and results in much higher current efficiencies. The chloride—electrolyte systems and electrolysis approaches are reviewed in References 71 and 72. The recovery of zirconium metal by electrolysis of aqueous solutions in not thermodynamically feasible, although efforts in this direction persist. 

The holistic thermodynamic approach based on material (charge, concentration and electron) balances is a firm and valuable tool for a choice of the best a priori conditions of chemical analyses performed in electrolytic systems. Such an approach has been already presented in a series of papers issued in recent years, see [1-4] and references cited therein. In this communication, the approach will be exemplified with electrolytic systems, with special emphasis put on the complex systems where all particular types (acid-base, redox, complexation and precipitation) of chemical equilibria occur in parallel and/or sequentially. All attainable physicochemical knowledge can be involved in calculations and none simplifying assumptions are needed. All analytical prescriptions can be followed. The approach enables all possible (from thermodynamic viewpoint) reactions to be included and all effects resulting from activation barrier(s) and incomplete set of equilibrium data presumed can be tested. The problems involved are presented on some examples of analytical systems considered lately, concerning potentiometric titrations in complex titrand + titrant systems. All calculations were done with use of iterative computer programs MATLAB and DELPHI. 

The Af-HjO diagrams present the equilibria at various pHs and potentials between the metal, metal ions and solid oxides and hydroxides for systems in which the only reactants are metal, water, and hydrogen and hydroxyl ions a situation that is extremely unlikely to prevail in real solutions that usually contain a variety of electrolytes and non-electrolytes. Thus a solution of pH 1 may be prepared from either hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric or perchloric acids, and in each case a different anion will be introduced into the solution with the consequent possibility of the formation of species other than those predicted in the Af-HjO system. In general, anions that form soluble complexes will tend to extend the zones of corrosion, whereas anions that form insoluble compounds will tend to extend the zone of passivity. However, provided the relevant thermodynamic data are aveiil-able, the effect of these anions can be incorporated into the diagram, and diagrams of the type Af-HjO-A" are available in Cebelcor reports and in the published literature. 

The overall pattern of behaviour of titanium in aqueous environments is perhaps best understood by consideration of the electrochemical characteristics of the metal/oxide and oxide-electrolyte system. The thermodynamic stability of oxides is dependent upon the electrical potential between the metal and the solution and the pH (see Section 1.4). The Ti/HjO system has been considered by Pourbaix". The thermodynamic stability of an... 

Otherwise it has been shown that the accumulation of electrolytes by many cells runs at the expense of cellular energy and is in no sense an equilibrium condition 113) and that the use of equilibrium thermodynamic equations (e.g., the Nemst-equation) is not allowed in systems with appreciable leaks which indicate a kinetic steady-state 114). In addition, a superposition of partial current-voltage curves was used to explain the excitability of biological membranes112 . In interdisciplinary research the adaptation of a successful theory developed in a neighboring discipline may be beneficial, thus an attempt will be made here, to use the mixed potential model for ion-selective membranes also in the context of biomembrane surfaces. 

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