Nonsymmetric ionic transport in a nonbinary electrolyte at high voltage

Ionic transport in one- and two-dimensional (2D) electrolytic cells operating at high voltage with a nonsymmetric electrolyte consisting of three species is simulated numerically. The numerical simulations are aimed at elucidating the differences in the onset of the electroconvective instability in the nonsymmetric electrolyte in a 2D electrolytic cell compared with that for a symmetric binary electrolyte. An extensive parametric study is performed to determine the mechanisms governing the onset of the instability. In addition, the main characteristics of the spatiotemporal evolution of the electroconvective instability are investigated. By focusing on the characteristics typical of the onset of the electroconvective instability in a nonsymmetric electrolyte, we are able to offer a physical interpretation and a detailed discussion of the origin and development of this instability.