The role of external electric fields in membrane-based separation processes: a molecular dynamics study

Abstract

Molecular simulations using the method of molecular dynamics have been carried out to determine if external fields can be used to increase the efficiency of membrane-based separation processes, examining both direct and several alternating electric fields, and across a range of frequencies. The results show that alternating electric fields have considerable promise as a valuable, yet generally neglected, tool for improving the efficiency of otherwise difficult separation processes.