Ion Distributions near an Oil-Water Interface

Abstract

In this thesis ion distributions are predicted by means of Poisson-Boltzmann theory. In its simplest form the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, which strongly builds upon Gouy-Chapman's treatment of a single planar charged surface in contact with a half space of electrolyte, describes the interaction of point-like ions in a structureless continuum solvent via their self-consistent mean field.

A recent experimental study of ion concentrations near an electrified oil-water interface provided the inspiration for an extension of this classical analysis. The ionic self-energy differences in oil and water, as well as the presence of two planar walls (rather than one) are incorporated to describe the ion distributions near an oil-water interface within an electrolytic cell.