HowtoJudge

Electrolytes

andNon-electrolytes

andApplications of Electrolytes
Difference Between Electrolyte and Non-electrolyte
Electrolytes are compounds that conduct electricity in an aqueous or molten state;
non-electrolytes are compounds that do not conduct electricity in both aqueous andmolten states. Elements and mixtures are not electrolytes or non-electrolytes whether
they can conduct electricity in an aqueous solution or in a molten state. For example,
all metals are neither electrolytes nor non-electrolytes, because they are notcompounds and do not meet the definition of electrolytes.
Put it clearly:
1. Whether it can be ionized (essentialdifference): Electrolytes are compounds
that can be ionized under certain conditions,while non-electrolytes cannot be ionized.
2.
Commonsubstancecategories:
electrolytes are generally acids, bases, salts,
typical metal oxides, and some non-metalhydrides. Non-electrolytes are usually
non-metal oxides, some non-metal hydrides,
and most organic compounds.
3. Compound category: Electrolytes areionic compounds and some covalent
compounds, and non-electrolytes are all
covalent compounds.

Application of Electrolytes
Electrolytes play an important role in the human body. Water and electrolytes arewidely distributed in and out of cells and participate in many important functions andmetabolic activities in the body, and electrolytes play a very important role in themaintenance of normal life activities.
1. Maintain body fluid osmotic pressure and water balance
Sodium ions and chloride ions are the main inorganic salt ions that maintain theosmotic pressure of the intracellular fluid. In normal human cells, the osmoticpressure of intracellular and extracellular fluids is basically equal, thereby
maintaining the dynamic balance of intracellular and extracellular fluids.

2. Maintain the acid-base balance of body fluids
Body fluids and electrolytes make up buffer pairs to regulate acid-base balance.
3. Maintain the irritability of nerves and muscles
The irritability of nerves and muscles requires a certain concentration and proportionof electrolytes in body fluids to maintain. When sodium ions and potassium ions are
too low, neuromuscular irritability is reduced, and limb weakness or even paralysis
can occur; when calcium ions and magnesium ions are too low, nerve and muscleirritability increases, and tetany may occur.
4. Maintain normal cell metabolism
A variety of inorganic ions act as cofactors for metalloenzymes or metal-activating
enzymes to regulate substance metabolism at the cellular level.

Application of Polymer Electrolytes
1. As a flocculant
The polymer electrolyte has a flocculation effect and is an effective polymer
flocculant. Its charged part can neutralize the charge of the colloidal particles, destroy
the stability of the colloidal particles in water, promote their collision, and entangle
many fine particles through the long polymer chain bridging. Together, they aggregate
into large particles, thereby accelerating sedimentation. It has fast flocculation andsedimentation speed, high sludge dewatering efficiency, and special effects on thetreatment of certain wastewater. The flocculation capacity of polymer electrolytes isseveral times to dozens of times larger than that of inorganic flocculants such as alumand ferric chloride and has unique properties that many inorganic flocculants do nothave.
2. Application in the paper industry
With the development of the synthetic polymer industry, polymer electrolytes areincreasingly used as papermaking aids in the papermaking industry and play animportant role. For example, quaternary polyacrylamide, cationic starch,
polyethyleneimine, etc. can be used as dry and wet strengthening agents to improvethe dry and wet strength of paper; carboxymethyl cellulose and cationic starch are
sizing agents on the surface of the paper, while It can also increase the retention rateof fillers and brighteners; cationic polyacrylamide can flocculate the fine fibers
suspended in the sedimentation water and has the effect of flocculation and trapping,so as to achieve the purpose of recycling the cellulose and fillers lost in the discharge
water from the paper machine and clarifying the water.
3. Application in the petroleum industry
Polymer electrolytes can be used as clay stabilizers, polymers for fracturing additives,
corrosion inhibitors, etc.