Repolarization of a solution-membrane-solution system following application of a pulse of current

Abstract

Following cessation of passage of a current of constant density through a charged membrane, the ionic concentrations in the membrane and in the solutions on either side, which have been perturbed by the current flow, will diffuse back to their equilibrium states. The time course of relaxation has been analyzed for a plane membrane. Calculations based on this, for a “thick” membrane, have been carried out and compared with experimental data obtained using a Cellophane membrane in a dilute NaCl medium. The data showed reasonable agreement with the mathematical expression.