Electrostatic effects of dielectric interfaces on confined electrolyte

ORAL

Abstract

The behavior of ions in liquids confined between interfaces characterized by different dielectric permittivities is crucial to many nanoscale assembly processes in synthetic and biological materials. The presence of multiple interfaces and associated dielectric heterogeneities often complicates computing the desired ionic distributions via simulations or theory. Electrostatic correlation effects in a system with electrolyte confined by two planar dielectric interfaces are systematically studied by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations and liquid state theory. Results for ionic density profiles for various electrolyte concentrations, stoichiometric ratios and dielectric contrasts are presented. We also investigate the interactions between two planar surfaces and effects of the dielectric interfaces on the double layer structure near the interfaces which lies at the heart of soft matter physics.

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Authors

  • Yufei Jing

    Northwestern University, Applied Physics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208

  • Vikram Jadhao

    Department of Physics \& Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218

  • Jos Zwanikken

    Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, Northwestern University

  • Monica Olvera de la Cruz

    Northwestern University, Northwestern Univ, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA