Thermodynamically consistent modeling of ion exchange membranes in multi-ionic environments
Pith reviewed 2026-06-26 21:54 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
A thermodynamically consistent model for ion exchange membranes arises from combining mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
The authors derive a thermodynamically consistent model for ion exchange membranes by combining mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone, explicitly accounting for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations. The model parameters relate to those of other models but gain consistency and interpretability through the underlying derivation. Comparison to experimental data shows that both static and dynamic membrane properties are reproduced with good accuracy.
What carries the argument
The combination of mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone, which enforces thermodynamic consistency for multicomponent electrolytes.
If this is right
- Parameters acquire explicit linkages, reducing the number of quantities treated as fully independent.
- The model supplies a basis for theory-driven optimization of ion exchange membranes.
- It supports tailored membrane design for water desalination, fuel cells, and aqueous batteries.
- Both static equilibrium properties and dynamic transport rates match experimental observations with good accuracy.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The same combination of mass-action and mean-field terms could be tested on other polymer electrolytes with similar site-binding chemistry.
- The linked parameters may simplify calibration when the model is embedded in device-scale simulations.
- High-concentration multi-ion cases become more tractable without separate ad-hoc corrections for each new mixture.
Load-bearing premise
That mass-action site occupation combined with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone produces thermodynamic consistency for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations without additional constraints.
What would settle it
An experiment on membrane ion uptake or conductivity in a multicomponent electrolyte at high concentration that shows clear mismatch with the model's predicted equilibrium or transport values.
Figures
read the original abstract
Ion exchange membranes are useful for a wide range of applications, including water desalination, fuel cells, and aqueous batteries. Accordingly, a variety of models for ion exchange membranes has been proposed, each emphasizing different aspects that govern their static and dynamic properties. By reviewing these models, we identify key physical contributions and beneficial modeling strategies. Based on these insights, we derive a thermodynamically consistent model by combining mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone. In this derivation, we explicitly account for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations. The parameters of the resulting model relate closely to those of other models, but gain consistency and interpretability through the underlying derivation. A discussion of the model parameters highlights redundancies and linkages between quantities that are commonly treated independently. Comparison to experimental data shows that both static and dynamic membrane properties are reproduced with good accuracy by the presented model. This makes it a promising basis for theory-driven membrane optimization and supports the tailored design of ion exchange membranes for various technologies.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper reviews existing models for ion exchange membranes, identifies key physical contributions, and derives a thermodynamically consistent model by combining mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions along the polymer backbone. The derivation explicitly accounts for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations; model parameters are related to those of prior models but gain consistency and interpretability through the derivation. A discussion of parameter redundancies and linkages is provided, followed by comparison to experimental data claiming good accuracy for both static and dynamic membrane properties.
Significance. If the thermodynamic consistency holds via an explicit construction, the model could serve as a unified, interpretable framework for optimizing ion exchange membranes in desalination, fuel cells, and batteries, with parameters that reduce redundancies common in earlier approaches.
major comments (2)
- [Derivation section] Derivation section (around the combination of mass-action and mean-field terms): the central claim that this combination produces thermodynamic consistency for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations lacks an explicit demonstration (e.g., via variational free-energy construction, verification of chemical-potential equality, or Gibbs-Duhem relation satisfaction across all species). Mean-field electrostatics typically omits short-range correlations dominant above ~0.5 M, so an unstated constraint or correction may be required; this is load-bearing for the consistency assertion.
- [Results/comparison section] Results/comparison section: the assertion that 'both static and dynamic membrane properties are reproduced with good accuracy' is not supported by quantitative metrics (e.g., RMSE values, specific datasets, or error bars on figures) in the provided text; without these, the validation cannot be assessed as load-bearing evidence for the model's superiority.
minor comments (2)
- The abstract states that parameters 'relate closely to those of other models'; a explicit table or section mapping parameters (e.g., site-binding constants, dielectric constants) to literature equivalents would clarify the claimed interpretability gains.
- Notation for multicomponent concentrations and electrostatic potentials should be defined at first use to avoid ambiguity when extending to elevated concentrations.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the constructive comments, which help clarify the presentation of thermodynamic consistency and strengthen the validation. We address each major comment below and will revise the manuscript accordingly.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: [Derivation section] Derivation section (around the combination of mass-action and mean-field terms): the central claim that this combination produces thermodynamic consistency for multicomponent electrolytes at elevated concentrations lacks an explicit demonstration (e.g., via variational free-energy construction, verification of chemical-potential equality, or Gibbs-Duhem relation satisfaction across all species). Mean-field electrostatics typically omits short-range correlations dominant above ~0.5 M, so an unstated constraint or correction may be required; this is load-bearing for the consistency assertion.
Authors: We agree that an explicit verification strengthens the central claim. The derivation constructs the free energy from mass-action site occupation (ensuring correct chemical potentials for bound and mobile ions) combined with mean-field electrostatics along the backbone; thermodynamic consistency follows by construction because the resulting chemical potentials derive from a single variational free-energy functional. However, we did not include a dedicated verification step (e.g., explicit Gibbs-Duhem check or chemical-potential equality across all species). In the revised manuscript we will add a short subsection that (i) writes the explicit free-energy functional, (ii) derives the chemical potentials, and (iii) verifies the Gibbs-Duhem relation holds for the multicomponent system. Regarding short-range correlations above ~0.5 M, the model is intended for the mean-field regime typical of many IEM applications; we will note this scope limitation and the possible need for correlation corrections in future extensions. revision: yes
-
Referee: [Results/comparison section] Results/comparison section: the assertion that 'both static and dynamic membrane properties are reproduced with good accuracy' is not supported by quantitative metrics (e.g., RMSE values, specific datasets, or error bars on figures) in the provided text; without these, the validation cannot be assessed as load-bearing evidence for the model's superiority.
Authors: We agree that quantitative metrics are necessary for rigorous assessment. The manuscript text states that the model reproduces experimental data with good accuracy, but does not report RMSE values, list the exact datasets, or include error bars. In the revised manuscript we will (i) specify the experimental datasets used for both static (e.g., sorption isotherms) and dynamic (e.g., conductivity, transport numbers) properties, (ii) add RMSE or normalized error values for each comparison, and (iii) include error bars on the relevant figures where experimental uncertainties are available. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: derivation presented as independent combination without self-referential reductions or fitted predictions.
full rationale
The abstract describes deriving thermodynamic consistency by combining mass-action site occupation with mean-field electrostatic interactions, explicitly for multicomponent electrolytes. No equations, self-citations, or fitted parameters are quoted that would reduce a claimed prediction or consistency result to the inputs by construction. The parameters are stated to relate to other models but gain consistency through the derivation, with no indication that the consistency itself is assumed or fitted. Comparison to experimental data is presented as validation rather than a circular fit. Without load-bearing steps that collapse to self-definition or renaming, the chain is treated as self-contained.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
W. R. Bowen, J. S. Welfoot,Chemical Engineering Science2002
-
[2]
Kamcev, D
J. Kamcev, D. R. Paul, B. D. Freeman,Macro- molecules2015,48, 8011
-
[3]
K. H. Meyer, J.-F. Sievers,Helvetica Chimica Acta 1936,19, 649
1936
-
[4]
Teorell,Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences1935,21, 152
T. Teorell,Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences1935,21, 152
-
[5]
F. A. Morrison, J. F. Osterle,The Journal of Chem- ical Physics1965,43, 2111
-
[6]
A. Z. Weber, J. Newman,Journal of The Electro- chemical Society2004,151, A311
-
[7]
Freger,Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 2020,277, 102107
V. Freger,Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 2020,277, 102107
2020
-
[8]
Freger,Journal of Membrane Science2025,722, 123795
V. Freger,Journal of Membrane Science2025,722, 123795
-
[9]
T.Luo, S.Abdu, M.Wessling,JournalofMembrane Science2018,555, 429
-
[10]
Kitto, J
D. Kitto, J. Kamcev,Journal of Polymer Science 2022,60, 2929
2022
-
[11]
Yaroshchuk, M
A. Yaroshchuk, M. L. Bruening, E. Zholkovskiy,Ad- vances in Colloid and Interface Science2019,268, 39
-
[12]
S. M. Bannon, G. M. Geise,Journal of Membrane Science2024,694, 122396. 16
-
[13]
A. R. Crothers, R. M. Darling, A. Kusoglu, C. J. Radke, A.Z.Weber,JournalofTheElectrochemical Society2020,167, 013547
-
[14]
Freger,Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 2023,319, 102972
V. Freger,Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 2023,319, 102972
2023
-
[15]
Santafé-Moros, J
A. Santafé-Moros, J. Gozálvez-Zafrilla, J. Lora- García,Desalination2008,221, 268
-
[16]
R. Wang, R. Duddu, S. Lin,Journal of Membrane Science2023,681, 121782
-
[17]
Chao,SCIENCE ADVANCES2020
D. Chao,SCIENCE ADVANCES2020
-
[18]
Liang, Y
Y. Liang, Y. Yao,Nature Reviews Materials2022, 8, 109
-
[19]
J. O. G. Posada, A. J. Rennie, S. P. Villar, V. L. Martins, J. Marinaccio, A. Barnes, C. F. Glover, D. A. Worsley, P. J. Hall,Renewable and Sustain- able Energy Reviews2017,68, 1174
-
[20]
Z. Ju, Q. Zhao, D. Chao, Y. Hou, H. Pan, W. Sun, Z. Yuan, H. Li, T. Ma, D. Su, B. Jia,Advanced Energy Materials2022,12, 2201074
-
[21]
Borchers, S
N. Borchers, S. Clark, B. Horstmann, K. Jayasayee, M. Juel, P. Stevens,Journal of Power Sources 2021,484, 229309
2021
-
[22]
Dembélé, L
K. Dembélé, L. Chikh, S. Alfonsi, O. Fichet,Poly- mer Degradation and Stability2023,215, 110462
-
[23]
M. T. Tsehaye, F. Alloin, C. Iojoiu, R. A. Tufa, D. Aili, P. Fischer, S. Velizarov,Journal of Power Sources2020,475, 228689
-
[24]
M. T. Tsehaye, G. Teklay Gebreslassie, N. Heon Choi, D. Milian, V. Martin, P. Fis- cher, J. Tübke, N. El Kissi, M. L. Donten, F. Alloin, C. Iojoiu,Molecules2021,26, 4062
-
[25]
D. L. Oatley,Swansea University Prifysgol Abertawe 2004
2004
-
[26]
Söllner,Biochem
K. Söllner,Biochem. Z1932,244, 390
-
[27]
L. Liu, C. Wang, Z. He, R. Das, B. Dong, X. Xie, Z. Guo,Journal of Materials Science & Technology 2021,69, 212
2021
-
[28]
Bowen, A
W. Bowen, A. Mohammad, N. Hilal,Journal of Membrane Science1997,126, 91
-
[29]
Teorell,Progress in Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry1953,3, 305
T. Teorell,Progress in Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry1953,3, 305
-
[30]
F. G. Donnan,Zeitschrift für Elektrochemie und angewandte physikalische Chemie1911,17, 572
-
[31]
J. W. Gibbs,American Journal of Science1878, s3-16, 441
-
[32]
J. R. Pappenheimer, E. M. Renkin, L. M. Bor- rero,American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Con- tent1951,167, 13
-
[33]
J. C. Giddings, E. Kucera, C. P. Russell, M. N. My- ers,The Journal of Physical Chemistry1968,72, 4397
-
[34]
W. M. Deen,AIChE Journal1987,33, 1409
-
[35]
Born,Zeitschrift für Physik1920,1, 45
M. Born,Zeitschrift für Physik1920,1, 45
-
[36]
R. Wang, S. Lin,Journal of Membrane Science 2021,620, 118809
2021
-
[37]
Dechadilok, W
P. Dechadilok, W. M. Deen,Industrial & Engineer- ing Chemistry Research2006,45, 6953
-
[38]
G. S. Manning,The Journal of Chemical Physics 1969,51, 924
1969
-
[39]
G. S. Manning,The Journal of Chemical Physics 1969,51, 934
1969
-
[40]
G. S. Manning,The Journal of Chemical Physics 1969,51, 3249
1969
-
[41]
Mareev, A
S. Mareev, A. Gorobchenko, D. Ivanov, D. Anokhin, V. Nikonenko,International Journal of Molecular Sciences2022,24, 34
-
[42]
Purpura, E
G. Purpura, E. Papiewska, A. Culcasi, A. Filingeri, A. Tamburini, M. C. Ferrari, G. Micale, A. Cipollina, Journal of Membrane Science2024,700, 122659
-
[43]
Kamcev, D
J. Kamcev, D. R. Paul, G. S. Manning, B. D. Free- man,Macromolecules2018,51, 5519
-
[44]
J.-N. Aqua, S. Banerjee, M. E. Fisher,Physical Re- view E2005,72, 041501
-
[45]
Lifson, J
S. Lifson, J. L. Jackson,The Journal of Chemical Physics1962,36, 2410
-
[46]
J. L. Jackson, S. R. Coriell,The Journal of Chemical Physics1963,38, 959
-
[47]
Einstein,Annalen der Physik1905,322, 549
A. Einstein,Annalen der Physik1905,322, 549
-
[48]
Von Smoluchowski,Annalen der Physik1906, 326, 756
M. Von Smoluchowski,Annalen der Physik1906, 326, 756
-
[49]
J. S. Mackie, P. Meares,Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences1955,232, 510
-
[50]
Kamcev, D
J. Kamcev, D. R. Paul, G. S. Manning, B. D. Free- man,ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces2017,9, 4044
-
[51]
Marioni, O
N. Marioni, O. Nordness, Z. Zhang, R. Sujanani, B. D. Freeman, R. A. Segalman, R. J. Clément, V. Ganesan,ACS Macro Letters2024,13, 341
-
[52]
B. I. Shklovskii,Physical Review E1999,60, 5802
-
[53]
Deserno, C
M. Deserno, C. Holm, S. May,Macromolecules 2000,33, 199
2000
-
[54]
R. Wang, P. Biesheuvel, M. Elimelech,Journal of Membrane Science2024,705, 122921
-
[55]
Y. Yu, Y. Li, N. Hossain, C.-C. Chen,Fluid Phase Equilibria2019,497, 1
-
[56]
Z. Lu, G. Polizos, E. Manias, D. Macdonald,ECS Transactions2010,28, 81
-
[57]
Z. Lu, G. Polizos, D. D. Macdonald, E. Manias, Journal of The Electrochemical Society2008
-
[58]
G. S. Manning,Accounts of Chemical Research 1979,12, 443
1979
-
[59]
Schurr, B
J. Schurr, B. S. Fujimoto,Biophysical Chemistry 2002,101–102, 425
2002
-
[60]
K. D. Fong, J. Self, K. M. Diederichsen, B. M. Wood, B. D. McCloskey, K. A. Persson,ACS Cen- tral Science2019,5, 1250
-
[61]
Schammer, B
M. Schammer, B. Horstmann, A. Latz,Journal of The Electrochemical Society2021,168, 026511
-
[62]
Kilchert, M
F. Kilchert, M. Lorenz, M. Schammer, P. Nürn- berg, M. Schönhoff, A. Latz, B. Horstmann,Physi- cal Chemistry Chemical Physics2023,25, 25965
-
[63]
A. Latz, J. Zausch,Journal of Power Sources2011, 196, 3296
-
[64]
Stamm, A
J. Stamm, A. Varzi, A. Latz, B. Horstmann,Journal of Power Sources2017,360, 136
-
[65]
S. . V. W. T. \. Solutions, Ionics* Ion Exchange Membranes2020. 17
-
[66]
Galizia, F
M. Galizia, F. M. Benedetti, D. R. Paul, B. D. Free- man,Journal of Membrane Science2017,535, 132
-
[67]
Y. S. Oren, O. Nir, V. Freger,Journal of Membrane Science2024,690, 122202
-
[68]
Galizia, G
M. Galizia, G. S. Manning, D. R. Paul, B. D. Free- man,Polymer2019,165, 91
-
[69]
Marcus, G
Y. Marcus, G. Hefter,Chemical Reviews2006,106, 4585
-
[70]
Hefter,Pure and Applied Chemistry2006,78, 1571
G. Hefter,Pure and Applied Chemistry2006,78, 1571
-
[71]
M. A. Peshkova, A. I. Korobeynikov, K. N. Mikhel- son,Electrochimica Acta2008,53, 5819
-
[72]
Bjerrum,Videnskabernes Selskab1926
N. Bjerrum,Videnskabernes Selskab1926
-
[73]
R. M. Fuoss, C. A. Kraus,Journal of the American Chemical Society1933,55, 1019
-
[74]
R. M. Fuoss,Journal of the American Chemical So- ciety1958,80, 5059
-
[75]
Eigen, K
M. Eigen, K. Tamm,Zeitschrift für Elektrochemie, Berichte der Bunsengesellschaft für physikalische Chemie1962,66, 93
-
[76]
Justice, J.-C
M.-C. Justice, J.-C. Justice,Journal of Solution Chemistry1976,5, 543
-
[77]
Barthel, R
J. Barthel, R. Wachter, H.-J. Gores, Temperature Dependence of Conductance of Electrolytes in Non- aqueous Solutions, in B. E. Conway, J. O. Bock- ris (Editors),Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry, pages 1–79, Springer US, Boston, MA1979
-
[78]
Ebeling, M
W. Ebeling, M. Grigo,Annalen der Physik1980, 492, 21
-
[79]
Krienke, J
H. Krienke, J. Barthel,Journal of Molecular Liquids 1998,78, 123
1998
-
[80]
Krienke, J
H. Krienke, J. Barthel,Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie1998,204, 71
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.