Criticality in confined ionic fluids

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review E

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.63.066104· OSTI ID:40203266

Flores-Mena, J E; Barbosa, Marcia C; Levin, Yan

A theory of a confined two-dimensional electrolyte is presented. The positive and negative ions, interacting by a 1/r potential, are constrained to move on an interface separating two solvents with dielectric constants {epsilon}{sub 1} and {epsilon}{sub 2}. It is shown that the Debye-Huckel type of theory predicts that this two-dimensional Coulomb fluid should undergo a phase separation into a coexisting liquid (high-density) and gas (low-density) phases. We argue, however, that the formation of polymerlike chains of alternating positive and negative ions can prevent this phase transition from taking place.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40203266
• Journal Information: Physical Review E, Vol. 63, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.63.066104; Othernumber: PLEEE8000063000006066104000001; 027106PRE; PBD: Jun 2001; ISSN 1063-651X
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANIONS
CHAINS
CRITICALITY
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTROLYTES
SOLVENTS