Theory of Ion Exchange for Polyelectrolytes Undergoing Electrolytic Transference

Abstract

It has been observed experimentally that polymeric ions generally have associated with them a large number of small ions of opposite charge. These smaller ions, which are considered bound to the polymeric ions, are capable of exchanging with free ions in solution. The rate of this exchange can be determined by certain electrolytic transference experiments involving the use of radioactive tracers. The theory of such transference experiments is worked out by formulating and solving appropriate differential equations subject to certain boundary conditions. It is then shown how results of these transference studies can be used for evaluating ion rate exchange constants.