Conductivity maximum in a charged colloidal suspension

Journal Article · Tue Jan 27 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Soft Matter, vol. 6, no. 17, June 30, 2010, pp. 4223

OSTI ID:1020333

Bastea, S

Molecular dynamics simulations of a charged colloidal suspension in the salt-free regime show that the system exhibits an electrical conductivity maximum as a function of colloid charge. We attribute this behavior to two main competing effects: colloid effective charge saturation due to counterion 'condensation' and diffusion slowdown due to the relaxation effect. In agreement with previous observations, we also find that the effective transported charge is larger than the one determined by the Stern layer and suggest that it corresponds to the boundary fluid layer at the surface of the colloidal particles.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 1020333
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL-410170
• Journal Information: Soft Matter, vol. 6, no. 17, June 30, 2010, pp. 4223, Journal Name: Soft Matter, vol. 6, no. 17, June 30, 2010, pp. 4223 Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COLLOIDS
DIFFUSION
EFFECTIVE CHARGE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
RELAXATION
SATURATION