Etymology and History
– The word ‘electrolyte’ derives from Ancient Greek ήλεκτρο- (ēlectro-) and λυτός (lytos).
– Svante Arrhenius proposed the concept of electrolyte dissociation in aqueous solution and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1903.
– Arrhenius explained that salts dissociate into ions, even in the absence of an electric current.
– Franz Hofmeister and Siegmund Lewith discovered the Hofmeister series, which shows that different ion types have different effects on protein solubility.
– The origins of these effects are still debated, but charge density of ions is believed to play a role.
– Charles-Augustin de Coulomb’s work may provide explanations for these effects.
Formation and Physiological Importance
– Electrolyte solutions are formed when salt is dissolved in a solvent like water, causing the salt to dissociate into ions.
– Substances can also react with water to produce ions.
– Molten salts can act as electrolytes, allowing for conductivity.
– Concentrated electrolytes have a high ion concentration, while dilute electrolytes have a low concentration.
– Electrolysis can be used to extract elements and compounds from electrolyte solutions.
– The primary ions of electrolytes in physiology are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, hydrogen phosphate, and hydrogen carbonate.
– Sodium is the main electrolyte in extracellular fluid, while potassium is the main intracellular electrolyte.
– Electrolyte balance is crucial for fluid balance, blood pressure control, nerve function, muscle function, and pH regulation.
– Electrolytes enter and leave cells through ion channels in the cell membrane.
– Oral or intravenous intake of electrolyte-containing substances helps maintain electrolyte balance.
Applications and Measurement
– Electrolytes are essential components of electrochemical cells.
– Electrolyte replacement is necessary for individuals with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating.
– Commercial electrolyte solutions are available for children and athletes.
– Electrolyte monitoring is important in the treatment of eating disorders.
– Electrolyte solutions can result from the dissolution of biological or synthetic polymers.
– Electrolyte measurement is a common diagnostic procedure performed via blood testing or urinalysis.
– Interpretation of electrolyte values requires analysis of clinical history and parallel measurements of renal function.
– The most frequently measured electrolytes are sodium and potassium.
– Chloride levels are rarely measured except for arterial blood gas interpretations.
– Specific gravity test on urine is used to determine electrolyte imbalance.
Rehydration
– Electrolyte drinks containing sodium and potassium salts are used for rehydration after dehydration caused by various factors.
– Oral rehydration therapy is effective for replenishing water and electrolyte concentrations in the body.
– Athletes exercising in extreme conditions risk dehydration if they do not consume electrolytes.
– Homemade electrolyte drinks can be made using water, sugar, and salt in precise proportions.
– Electrolytes are commonly found in fruit juices, sports drinks, milk, nuts, and many fruits and vegetables.
Electrochemistry and Solid Electrolytes
– Electrolytes conduct electricity when electrodes are placed in them and a voltage is applied.
– Chemical reactions occur at the cathode and anode, providing and consuming electrons from the electrolyte.
– Ions in the electrolyte neutralize the charges created by the reactions, allowing the flow of electrons.
– Electrolytic conductors are used in electronic devices, batteries, fuel cells, electroplating tanks, and more.
– Electrolytes dissociate in water due to the orientation of water molecules to solvate the ions.
– Solid electrolytes can be divided into four groups: gel electrolytes, polymer electrolytes, ceramic electrolytes, and organic plastic electrolytes.
– Gel electrolytes resemble liquid electrolytes and often contain additives to increase conductivity.
– Polymer electrolytes have salt dissolved directly into a solid medium, often with composites to enhance mechanical strength and conductivity.
– Solid ceramic electrolytes allow ion migration through the ceramic phase.
– Organic ionic plastic crystals are organic salts with mobile ions that exhibit mesophases and are promising solid-state proton conductors. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte
An electrolyte is a medium containing ions that is electrically conducting through the movement of those ions, but not conducting electrons. This includes most soluble salts, acids, and bases dissolved in a polar solvent, such as water. Upon dissolving, the substance separates into cations and anions, which disperse uniformly throughout the solvent. Solid-state electrolytes also exist. In medicine and sometimes in chemistry, the term electrolyte refers to the substance that is dissolved.
Electrically, such a solution is neutral. If an electric potential is applied to such a solution, the cations of the solution are drawn to the electrode that has an abundance of electrons, while the anions are drawn to the electrode that has a deficit of electrons. The movement of anions and cations in opposite directions within the solution amounts to a current. Some gases, such as hydrogen chloride (HCl), under conditions of high temperature or low pressure can also function as electrolytes.[clarification needed] Electrolyte solutions can also result from the dissolution of some biological (e.g., DNA, polypeptides) or synthetic polymers (e.g., polystyrene sulfonate), termed "polyelectrolytes", which contain charged functional groups. A substance that dissociates into ions in solution or in the melt acquires the capacity to conduct electricity. Sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate in a liquid phase are examples of electrolytes.
In medicine, electrolyte replacement is needed when a person has prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and as a response to sweating due to strenuous athletic activity. Commercial electrolyte solutions are available, particularly for sick children (such as oral rehydration solution, Suero Oral, or Pedialyte) and athletes (sports drinks). Electrolyte monitoring is important in the treatment of anorexia and bulimia.
In science, electrolytes are one of the main components of electrochemical cells.
In clinical medicine, mentions of electrolytes usually refer metonymically to the ions, and (especially) to their concentrations (in blood, serum, urine, or other fluids). Thus, mentions of electrolyte levels usually refer to the various ion concentrations, not to the fluid volumes.
