Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity through the movement of ions. This includes most salts, acids, and bases dissolved in polar solvents. When dissolved, the molecules split into positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, which move freely in the solvent and thus transport electric current. Electrolytes can be liquid, gel-like, or solid; in battery technology, polymer electrolytes are also used. In filtration technology, electrolytes play an important role in particle size determination with the Coulter Counter, as this device requires a conductive liquid. Electrolytes are also used in electrofiltration and electrodialysis to enable current flow and migrate charged particles. The properties of an electrolyte – concentration, pH value, conductivity – influence the efficiency of these processes.