Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance that ionizes when dissolved in suitable ionizing solvents such as water.
This includes most soluble salts, acids, and bases.
Some gases, such as hydrogen chloride, under conditions of high temperature or low pressure can also
function as electrolytes.
Electrolyte solutions can
also result from the dissolution of some biological
(e.g., DNA, polypeptides) and synthetic polymers (e.g.,
polystyrene sulfonate), termed polyelectrolytes, which
contain charged functional groups.

and is involved in uid balance and blood pressure control.

All known higher lifeforms require a subtle and complex electrolyte balance between the intracellular and
extracellular environment. In particular, the maintenance
of precise osmotic gradients of electrolytes is important. Such gradients aect and regulate the hydration of
the body as well as blood pH, and are critical for nerve
and muscle function. Various mechanisms exist in living species that keep the concentrations of dierent elecElectrolyte solutions are normally formed when a salt is trolytes under tight control.
placed into a solvent such as water and the individual Both muscle tissue and neurons are considered electric
components dissociate due to the thermodynamic inter- tissues of the body. Muscles and neurons are activated
actions between solvent and solute molecules, in a process by electrolyte activity between the extracellular uid or
called solvation. For example, when table salt (sodium interstitial uid, and intracellular uid. Electrolytes may
chloride), NaCl, is placed in water, the salt (a solid) dis- enter or leave the cell membrane through specialized prosolves into its component ions, according to the dissocia- tein structures embedded in the plasma membrane called
tion reaction
ion channels. For example, muscle contraction is dependent upon the presence of calcium (Ca2+ ), sodium (Na+ ),
NaCl Na + Cl
and potassium (K+ ). Without sucient levels of these
key electrolytes, muscle weakness or severe muscle conIt is also possible for substances to react with water, pro- tractions may occur.
ducing ions. For example, carbon dioxide gas dissolves Electrolyte balance is maintained by oral, or in emerin water to produce a solution that contains hydronium, gencies, intravenous (IV) intake of electrolyte-containing
carbonate, and hydrogen carbonate ions.
substances, and is regulated by hormones, in general
with
the kidneys ushing out excess levels. In humans,
Note that molten salts can be electrolytes, as well. For
electrolyte
homeostasis is regulated by hormones such
instance, when sodium chloride is molten, the liquid conas
antidiuretic
hormone, aldosterone and parathyroid
ducts electricity.
hormone. Serious electrolyte disturbances, such as
An electrolyte in a solution may be described as concen- dehydration and overhydration, may lead to cardiac and
trated if it has a high concentration of ions, or dilute if it neurological complications and, unless they are rapidly
has a low concentration. If a high proportion of the solute resolved, will result in a medical emergency.
dissociates to form free ions, the electrolyte is strong; if
most of the solute does not dissociate, the electrolyte is
weak. The properties of electrolytes may be exploited using electrolysis to extract constituent elements and com- 1.1 Measurement
pounds contained within the solution.
+

Measurement of electrolytes is a commonly performed

diagnostic procedure, performed via blood testing with
ion-selective electrodes or urinalysis by medical technologists. The interpretation of these values is somewhat
meaningless without analysis of the clinical history and is
often impossible without parallel measurement of renal
function. Electrolytes measured most often are sodium
and potassium. Chloride levels are rarely measured except for arterial blood gas interpretation, since they are
inherently linked to sodium levels. One important test
conducted on urine is the specic gravity test to determine the occurrence of electrolyte imbalance.

Physiological importance

In physiology, the primary ions of electrolytes are sodium

(Na+ ), potassium (K+ ), calcium (Ca2+ ), magnesium
(Mg2+ ), chloride (Cl ), hydrogen phosphate (HPO4 2 ),
and hydrogen carbonate (HCO3 ). The electric charge
symbols of plus (+) and minus () indicate that the substance is ionic in nature and has an imbalanced distribution of electrons, the result of chemical dissociation.
Sodium is the main electrolyte found in extracellular uid
1

1.2

Rehydration

In oral rehydration therapy, electrolyte drinks containing

sodium and potassium salts replenish the bodys water and
electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by exercise,
excessive alcohol consumption, diaphoresis (heavy sweating), diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication or starvation. Athletes exercising in extreme conditions (for three or
more hours continuously, e.g. marathon or triathlon)
that do not consume electrolytes risk dehydration (or
hyponatremia).[1]
A home-made electrolyte drink can be made by using
water, sugar and salt in precise proportions.[2] Pre-made
preparations are also available commercially,[3] and also
for veterinary use, like Electrovite.
Electrolytes are commonly found in fruit juices, coconut
water, sports drinks, milk, nuts, and many fruits and
vegetables (whole or in juice form) (e.g., potatoes,
avocados).

Electrochemistry

Main article: electrolysis

When electrodes are placed in an electrolyte and a voltage
is applied, the electrolyte will conduct electricity. Lone
electrons normally cannot pass through the electrolyte;
instead, a chemical reaction occurs at the cathode, consuming electrons from the anode. Another reaction occurs at the anode, producing electrons that are eventually
transferred to the cathode. As a result, a negative charge
cloud develops in the electrolyte around the cathode, and
a positive charge develops around the anode. The ions
in the electrolyte neutralize these charges, enabling the
electrons to keep owing and the reactions to continue.
For example, in a solution of ordinary table salt (sodium
chloride, NaCl) in water, the cathode reaction will be
2H2 O + 2e 2OH + H2
and hydrogen gas will bubble up; the anode reaction is
2NaCl 2 Na+ + Cl2 + 2e
and chlorine gas will be liberated. The positively charged
sodium ions Na+ will react toward the cathode, neutralizing the negative charge of OH there, and the negatively
charged hydroxide ions OH will react toward the anode,
neutralizing the positive charge of Na+ there. Without the
ions from the electrolyte, the charges around the electrode
would slow down continued electron ow; diusion of H+
and OH through water to the other electrode takes longer
than movement of the much more prevalent salt ions.
Electrolytes dissociate in water because water molecules

SOLID ELECTROLYTES

are dipoles and the dipoles orient in an energetically favorable manner to solvate the ions.
In other systems, the electrode reactions can involve the
metals of the electrodes as well as the ions of the electrolyte.
Electrolytic conductors are used in electronic devices
where the chemical reaction at a metal/electrolyte interface yields useful eects.
In batteries, two materials with dierent electron
anities are used as electrodes; electrons ow from
one electrode to the other outside of the battery,
while inside the battery the circuit is closed by the
electrolytes ions. Here, the electrode reactions convert chemical energy to electrical energy.[4]
In some fuel cells, a solid electrolyte or proton conductor connects the plates electrically while keeping
the hydrogen and oxygen fuel gases separated.
In electroplating tanks, the electrolyte simultaneously deposits metal onto the object to be plated,
and electrically connects that object in the circuit.
In operation-hours gauges, two thin columns of
mercury are separated by a small electrolyte-lled
gap, and, as charge is passed through the device,
the metal dissolves on one side and plates out on the
other, causing the visible gap to slowly move along.
In electrolytic capacitors the chemical eect is used
to produce an extremely thin 'dielectric' or insulating
coating, while the electrolyte layer behaves as one
capacitor plate.
In some hygrometers the humidity of air is sensed
by measuring the conductivity of a nearly dry electrolyte.
Hot, softened glass is an electrolytic conductor, and
some glass manufacturers keep the glass molten by
passing a large current through it.

3 Solid electrolytes
Solid electrolytes can be mostly divided into three groups:
Gel electrolytes - they closely resemble liquid electrolytes. In essence, they are liquids in a exible lattice framework. Various additives are often applied
to increase the conductivity of such systems.[4][5]
Dry polymer electrolytes - they dier from liquid
and gel electrolytes in the sense that salt is dissolved directly into the solid medium. Usually it is
a relatively high dielectric constant polymer (PEO,
PMMA, PAN, polyphosphazenes, siloxanes, etc.)

3
and a salt with low lattice energy. In order to increase the mechanical strength and conductivity of
such electrolytes, very often composites are used,
and inert ceramic phase is introduced. There are
two major classes of such electrolytes: polymer-inceramic, and ceramic-in-polymer.[6][7][8]
Solid ceramic electrolytes - ions migrate through the
ceramic phase by means of vacancies or interstitials within the lattice. There are also glassy-ceramic
electrolytes.

See also
Strong electrolyte
ITIES (Interface between Two Immiscible Electrolyte Solutions)

References

[1] J,Estevez E,Baquero E,Mora-Rodriguez R (2008).

Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or
commercially available sports drinks during prolonged
exercise in the heat. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and
Metabolism 33 (2): 290298. doi:10.1139/H07-188.
PMID 18347684.
[2] Rehydration drinks. Webmd.com. 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
[3] Oral Rehydration Salt Suppliers. Rehydrate.org. 201410-07. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
[4] Kamil Perzyna, Regina Borkowska, Jaroslaw Syzdek, Aldona Zalewska, Wladyslaw Wieczorek (2011). The effect of additive of Lewis acid type on lithiumgel electrolyte characteristics. Electrochimica Acta 57: 5865.
doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2011.06.014.
[5] The Roll-to-Roll Battery Revolution. Ev World. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
[6] Syzdek, Jaroslaw, et al., Journal of Power Sources, 173,
2007, p712-720 doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.05.061
[7] Syzdek, Jaroslaw, et al., Electrochimica Acta, 55, 2010,
p1314-1322, doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2009.04.025
[8] Syzdek, Jaroslaw, et al., Journal of Power Sources, 194,
2009, p66-72, doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.01.070

External links
electrolyte mixtures

7 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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Electrolyte Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte?oldid=643479197 Contributors: AxelBoldt, AstroNomer, Mirwin, Deb,

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