Model for ion transport in bipolar membranes.

A simple theory for multi-ionic transport, nonequilibrium water dissociation, and space-charge effects in bipolar membranes is developed on the basis of some of the concepts used in the solid-state n-p junction. Ion transport is described in terms of the Nernst-Planck flux equation and nonequilibrium water dissociation is accounted for by the Onsager theory of the second Wien effect. The model is expected to be of interest for biological and synthetic membranes, and can explain a number of observed effects.