The Donnan potential refers to the electrochemical potential difference that arises across a semipermeable membrane when there is an unequal distribution of ions on either side of the membrane, typically due to the presence of impermeable solutes. This phenomenon is named after the chemist Frederick G. Donnan, who studied the effects of ionic distribution in colloidal systems. In a typical scenario, when a semipermeable membrane separates two solutions, the membrane allows the movement of certain ions but not others.
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