Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6874
Title: Symmetry breaking and electrostatic attraction between two identical surfaces
Authors: Plouraboue, F
Chang, HC
2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009)
Keywords: Stern layer;Correlated fluctuations theory;Modified mean-field theory;Poisson-Boltzmann problem;Attraction between identical surfaces
Issue Date: 2009
Publisher: Brunel University
Citation: 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference, Brunel University, West London, UK, 01-02 September 2009
Abstract: By allowing the surface charge of one surface to affect the adsorption equilibrium of the other, we establish the existence of a long-range attractive interaction between two identical surfaces in an electrolyte containing polyvalent counter ions with a mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann approach. A Stern electrostatic condition from linearization of the mass-action adsorption isotherm is used to capture how polyvalent ion condensation affects and reverses the surface charge. We furthermore establish a direct mapping between this Stern layer conditions and previously derived modified Mean-field formulations associated with correlated fluctuations theory. For a sufficiently potential-sensitive isotherm, antisymmetric charge inversion can occur to produce an attractive force that increases with decreasing ionic strengths. Analyses of a mass-action isotherm produce force-separation relations, including an exponential far-field force decay distinct but consistent with previously proposed correlated fluctuation theories, and in quantitative agreement with experimental data.
Description: This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6874
ISBN: 978-1-902316-72-7
978-1-902316-73-4
Appears in Collections:Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB)
The Brunel Collection

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