| AVS 63rd International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Scanning Probe Microscopy Focus Topic | Monday Sessions |
| Session SP+AS+MI+NS+SS-MoM |
| Session: | Advances in Scanning Probe Microscopy |
| Presenter: | Daniel Martin-Jimenez, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Spain |
| Authors: | D. Martin-Jimenez, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Spain E. Chacon, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Spain P. Tarazona, IFIMAC Condensed Matter Physics Center, UAM, Spain R. Garcia, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Spain |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Atomic-resolution three-dimensional images of electrolyte solutions near a mica surface demonstrate the existence of three types of interfacial structures [1-3]. At low concentrations (0.01-1 M), cations are adsorbed onto the mica until charge neutrality is reached. The cation layer is topped by a few hydration layers while anions are excluded from the mica surface [4]. At higher concentrations, the interfacial layer extends several nanometers into the liquid. It involves the alternation of cation and anion planes. Classical Fluid Density Functional calculations show that water molecules are a critical factor for stabilizing the structure of the ordered interfacial layer. The interfacial layer compatibilizes a crystal-like structure with liquid-like ion and solvent mobilities. At saturation, some ions precipitate and small ionic crystals are formed on the mica. The three-dimensional images have been acquired at 300 K.
[1] E. T. Herruzo, H. Asakawa, T. Fukuma, and R. Garcia, Nanoscale 5, 2678-2685 (2013).
[2] K. Kobayashi et al.The Journal of Chemical Physics 138, 184704 (2013)
[3] T. Fukuma et al.Physical Review B 92, 7 (2015).
[4] M. Ricci, P. Spijker and K. Voitchovsky Nat. Commun. 5, 4400 (2014).