# Deionization Shock Driven by Electroconvection in a Circular Channel

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that electroconvection-driven deionization shocks in a circular channel can be visualized and characterized, revealing a new mechanism for ion transport under over-limiting current conditions.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel electroconvection-driven deionization shock mechanism in a circular channel, expanding understanding beyond porous media.

## Key findings

- Electroconvection induces transient vortices in salt-depleted regions.
- Deionization shock propagates up to millimeter scales.
- Mechanism is analogous to shocks in charged porous media.

## Abstract

In a circular channel passing over-limiting current (faster than diffusion), transient vortices of bulk electroconvection are observed in salt-depleted region within the horizontal plane. The spatiotemporal evolution of the salt concentration is directly visualized, revealing the propagation of a deionization shock wave driven by bulk electroconvection up to millimeter scales. This novel mechanism leads to quantitatively similar dynamics as for deionization shocks in charged porous media, which are driven instead by surface conduction and electro-osmotic flow at micron to nanometer scales. The remarkable generality of deionization shocks under over-limiting current could be used to manipulate ion transport in complex geometries for desalination and water treatment.