Capacitive deionization (CDI) is another application of carbon aerogel electrodes. (See note on patent).

In this process, ions are adsorbed at the surface of a carbon aerogel electrodes under an applied electric field for removal of heavy ions from waste streams or water purification systems. The open lattice structure and interconnected pore structure allows for more efficient, smaller and lightweight devices to be built. In contrast to thermal processes such as evaporation, CDI is much more energy efficient. CDI also offers operational and cost advantages over electrodialysis and reverse osmosis since no membranes or high pressure water pumps are required. In addition, no secondary waste is generated and most of the electrical energy used can be recycled since regeneration is accomplished simply by electrically discharging the cells.

Applications include removal of salts, heavy metals, and radioisotopes from process and waste water in industry, production of high purity water for food and pharmaceuticals, and desalinization of water for drinking and domestic use.

See an example of Carbon-Aerogel Capacitive Deionization of Water at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory web site.

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