Ion Exchange

Ion exchange describes a reaction of the form:

m(c₁)ⁿ + n(c_s2) = m(c_s1) + n(c₂)^m

where

c_s1 = concentration of ion 1 in solid phase

c₁ = concentration in ion 1 fluid phase

c_s2 = concentration of ion 2 in solid phase

c₂ = concentration in ion 2 fluid phase

n = valence for ion 1

m = valence for ion 2

Four types of ion exchange reactions are defined as follows:

• Monovalent-monovalent: m = n = 1
• Monovalent-divalent: m = 2, n = 1
• Divalent-Monovalent: m = 1, n = 2
• Divalent-divalent: m = 2, n = 2

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