Current-voltage curves for a cation-exchange membrane in methanol-water electrolyte solutions

The current-voltage curves for a cation-exchange membrane separating two equal methanol-water electrolyte solutions were determined under different experimental conditions. From these curves, the values of the limiting current density, I(L), were determined. The influence of the volume percentage of methanol in the solvent on the results was analyzed. The presence of methanol in the solutions was shown not to affect the shape of the current-voltage curves typical of aqueous solutions. However, the system resistance and the values of the limiting current density were both greatly influenced by the content of methanol. Thus, the value of the resistance increased and the limiting current decreased with increasing methanol content of the solution.