Atomically resolved three-dimensional structures of electrolyte aqueous solutions near a solid surface
10.1038/ncomms12164
Crossref journal-article
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Nature Communications (297)
Abstract

AbstractInterfacial liquid layers play a central role in a variety of phenomena ranging from friction to molecular recognition. Liquids near a solid surface form an interfacial layer where the molecular structure is different from that of the bulk. Here we report atomic resolution three-dimensional images of electrolyte solutions near a mica surface that demonstrate the existence of three types of interfacial structures. At low concentrations (0.01–1 M), cations are adsorbed onto the mica. The cation layer is topped by a few hydration layers. At higher concentrations, the interfacial layer extends several nanometres into the liquid. It involves the alternation of cation and anion planes. Fluid Density Functional calculations show that water molecules are a critical factor for stabilizing the structure of the interfacial layer. The interfacial layer stabilizes a crystal-like structure compatible with liquid-like ion and solvent mobilities. At saturation, some ions precipitate and small crystals are formed on the mica.

Authors 4
  1. Daniel Martin-Jimenez (first)
  2. Enrique Chacon (additional)
  3. Pedro Tarazona (additional)
  4. Ricardo Garcia (additional)
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Dates
Type When
Created 9 years, 1 month ago (July 15, 2016, 5:58 a.m.)
Deposited 2 years, 7 months ago (Jan. 4, 2023, 6:08 a.m.)
Indexed 22 hours, 50 minutes ago (Aug. 27, 2025, 12:09 p.m.)
Issued 9 years, 1 month ago (July 15, 2016)
Published 9 years, 1 month ago (July 15, 2016)
Published Online 9 years, 1 month ago (July 15, 2016)
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@article{Martin_Jimenez_2016, title={Atomically resolved three-dimensional structures of electrolyte aqueous solutions near a solid surface}, volume={7}, ISSN={2041-1723}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12164}, DOI={10.1038/ncomms12164}, number={1}, journal={Nature Communications}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Martin-Jimenez, Daniel and Chacon, Enrique and Tarazona, Pedro and Garcia, Ricardo}, year={2016}, month=jul }