Capacitive deionization desalination in 2026: overview
Capacitive deionization (CDI) removes dissolved ions by applying an electrical potential across charged electrodes. It is most suited to lower-salinity water, where its electrochemical operation can offer an alternative to pressure-driven desalination. The field is moving beyond simple salt removal: membrane CDI improves ion selectivity, while flow-electrode systems support continuous operation. Across these designs, practical performance depends on balancing ion uptake, charge efficiency, energy use and electrode durability.
Recent research is targeting both selective capture and operational bottlenecks. In September 2026, a study from Nanjing University of Science and Technology and Nanchang Hangkong University reported sulfonated COF@CNT electrodes for cadmium capture; another study developed nitrogen-doped biochar flow electrodes for nickel-containing wastewater. August 2026 work from Ocean University of China investigated an antioxidant MXene flow electrode for fluoride capture, while Shihezi University researchers examined modified biochar to mitigate iron fouling in membrane CDI. Together, these directions point to tailored electrode chemistry and more robust treatment of complex water streams.
- 1Selective ion capture: Research is extending CDI beyond bulk desalination toward targeted removal and recovery of specific ions from industrial and resource-bearing waters.
- 2Materials meet durability: Porous carbon remains central, while COF, MXene and redox-active electrodes aim to raise selectivity and capacity without sacrificing stability.
- 3Membranes gain momentum: Membrane CDI is growing alongside work on fouling, ion transport and predictive modeling, all of which shape reliable operation.
Top organizations working on capacitive deionization desalination
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to capacitive deionization desalination. Showing 7 of 397 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JU
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Research · China |
Membrane capacitive deionization | PUB 55 | +106% | Recently, researchers affiliated with the university reported engineered electrode materials for capacitive deionization, including Cu-TADV-COF/LDH heterostructures for chloride capture. Its work also examines biomass-derived porous carbon for membrane CDI. |
| 2 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Flow-electrode systems | PUB 49 | -4% | Recently, researchers affiliated with CAS reported acid-modified carbon felt and a dual-channel structure for membrane CDI. Other work explores flow-electrode CDI electrolytes and electrode materials to improve desalination performance. |
| 3 | 
Tongji University
Research · China |
Flow-electrode systems | PUB 48 | +0% | The university’s research includes flow-electrode CDI, particularly how dynamic interactions between current collectors and slurry electrodes affect charge transfer and desalination. It also studies carbon materials for selective ion separation. |
| 4 | 
Ocean University of China
Research · China |
Faradaic electrodes | PUB 36 | +25% | Recently, researchers affiliated with the university investigated oxygen-vacancy engineering in Mn3O4 electrodes for capacitive deionization. Its work also applies flow-electrode CDI to uranium extraction from seawater and develops electrodes for desalination. |
| 5 | KU
Kashi University
Research · China |
Flow-electrode systems | PUB 32 | -32% | The university is associated with research and reviews on capacitive deionization, including flow-electrode designs and selective ion recovery. Its work also covers carbon and MXene electrode materials for water treatment. |
| 6 | 
Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Research · China |
Porous carbon electrodes | PUB 29 | -7% | Recently, researchers affiliated with the university developed lignin-based porous carbon electrodes for fluoride removal by capacitive deionization. Other work examines sustainable porous carbon electrodes and cell designs for desalination. |
| 7 | 
University of Science and Technology of China
Research · China |
Flow-electrode systems | PUB 19 · NEWS 7 | +36% | Research affiliated with the university examines flow-electrode CDI for brackish-water desalination, including gypsum scaling in the concentrate channel and the effects of temperature on charge transfer. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 4 total
- EElectrowasteElectrowaste has patented flow-electrode CDI equipment, including a continuous system connecting adsorption and desorption and a cartridge unit for flow electrodes.
Stockholm Water Technology ABSwedenRecently, Stockholm Water Technology filed a patent for a capacitive deionization device. Its patent activity focuses on CDI cell design.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 355 total
- JUJiangsu University of Science and TechnologyChinaRecently, researchers affiliated with the university reported engineered electrode materials for capacitive deionization, including Cu-TADV-COF/LDH heterostructures for chloride capture. Its work also examines biomass-derived porous carbon for membrane CDI.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers affiliated with CAS reported acid-modified carbon felt and a dual-channel structure for membrane CDI. Other work explores flow-electrode CDI electrolytes and electrode materials to improve desalination performance.
- Tongji UniversityChinaThe university’s research includes flow-electrode CDI, particularly how dynamic interactions between current collectors and slurry electrodes affect charge transfer and desalination. It also studies carbon materials for selective ion separation.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where capacitive deionization desalination innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 397 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porous carbon electrodes | Porous carbon stores ions through electrosorption; its affordability and tunable pore structure must be balanced against selectivity and long-term stability. | 501 |
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Soonchunhyang University |
| Membrane capacitive deionization | Ion-exchange membranes reduce co-ion effects and improve selectivity, but add membrane cost and can be vulnerable to fouling. | 205 |
National Taiwan University, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Korean University of Science and Technology |
| Flow-electrode systems | Mobile slurry electrodes enable continuous operation and electrode regeneration, but slurry transport and electrical resistance can constrain performance. | 221 |
Soonchunhyang University, Advanced Energy Research Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Faradaic electrodes | Redox-active materials store ions through electrochemical reactions, offering higher capacity but raising concerns about stability and reaction control. | 164 |
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Tongji University |
| Hybrid electrode architectures | Hybrid designs combine capacitive and Faradaic storage or multiple materials, but fabrication complexity can complicate durability and scale-up. | 131 |
Shenyang University of Technology, Hongik University, Soonchunhyang University |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Funding data lists 9 grants totaling $4,052,882 since 2020, alongside 13 recorded funding rounds totaling $7,687,188,262. The round total includes organization-level funding signals and should not be read as CDI-specific investment.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Aug 2026Newswise — Uranium is central to nuclear energy production, but terrestrial reserves are limited compared with the approximately 4.5 billion tons dissolved in the oceans. Uranium-bearing nuclear wastewater also requires…Newswise Feature Channel: Energy
- Jun 2026Lithium demand is set to grow four times by 2035, but the establishment of new projects for traditional lithium mining is slow and capital-intensive. The industry can’t scale up fast enough and the growing gap is…Hydrocarbons Technology
Frequently asked questions about capacitive deionization desalination
Which universities and research centers lead capacitive deionization desalination research?
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS and Tongji University are among the active research organizations. Their work spans engineered electrodes, membrane CDI and flow-electrode systems. Recent topics include chloride capture, charge transfer between current collectors and slurry electrodes, and biomass-derived porous carbon.
What companies are working on capacitive deionization desalination?
Samsung and Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc. each hold 8 patents in the landscape data, while Midea Group Co. holds 4. Startup activity includes Electrowaste, which has patented flow-electrode CDI equipment, and Stockholm Water Technology AB, whose patent activity focuses on CDI cell design. Patent activity does not by itself establish commercial deployment.
How much funding has capacitive deionization desalination received?
The data records 9 grants totaling $4,052,882 since 2020 and 13 funding rounds totaling $7,687,188,262. The round total is based on organization-level funding records and is not a confirmed measure of investment specifically directed to capacitive deionization. Treat it as a broad funding signal rather than a technology-specific total.
Who holds the most capacitive deionization desalination patents?
Samsung and Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc. lead the listed patent holders, with 8 patents each. Midea Group Co. and FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WATER DISPENSER Manufacturing CO. each have 4, while LG Corp and Electrowaste each have 3. These counts identify prominent holders in the dataset, not necessarily their complete global portfolios.
Is capacitive deionization desalination patent activity growing?
Yes: the dataset records 51 patents in the 24-month window, with patent activity growth of 12.5%. Publication activity was 510 in 2025, down 1.4% year over year. The contrast suggests patenting is increasing even as publication volume has remained broadly level; it does not establish the commercial maturity of the technology.
What are the latest developments in capacitive deionization desalination?
September 2026 research reported nitrogen-doped biochar flow electrodes for nickel-containing wastewater and sulfonated COF@CNT electrodes for cadmium capture. In August 2026, Ocean University of China investigated an antioxidant MXene flow electrode for fluoride capture, while researchers at Shihezi University studied modified biochar for mitigating iron fouling in membrane CDI. These studies target selective removal and more robust operation.
What are the main approaches in capacitive deionization desalination and how do they differ?
The main approaches are porous carbon electrodes, membrane capacitive deionization, flow-electrode systems, Faradaic electrodes and hybrid electrode architectures. Porous carbon relies on electrosorption, membranes improve ion selectivity, and flow electrodes support continuous operation. Faradaic and hybrid designs add redox-based ion storage, but raise stability and complexity trade-offs.
Which countries lead capacitive deionization desalination?
China leads the listed activity with 2,257 documents and a 52.3% share. The United States follows with 723 documents, then South Korea with 426. Australia and India also contribute substantial activity, with 244 and 226 documents respectively. These figures describe document activity, not the location of commercial capacity.
What are the applications of capacitive deionization desalination?
The listed applications include brackish water desalination, wastewater treatment and reuse, selective resource recovery, industrial water production and decentralized water treatment. Selective resource recovery is a growing direction in the data, with 73 recent documents compared with 28 in the previous period. Research examples include recovery of lithium, uranium and other valuable ions.