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Atomically resolved three-dimensional structures of electrolyte aqueous solutions near a solid surface

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Martin-Jimenez

    (Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid)

  • Enrique Chacon

    (Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid)

  • Pedro Tarazona

    (IFIMAC Condensed Matter Physics Center, UAM)

  • Ricardo Garcia

    (Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid)

Abstract

Interfacial 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Martin-Jimenez & Enrique Chacon & Pedro Tarazona & Ricardo Garcia, 2016. "Atomically resolved three-dimensional structures of electrolyte aqueous solutions near a solid surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12164
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12164
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    Cited by:

    1. Giada Franceschi & Pavel Kocán & Andrea Conti & Sebastian Brandstetter & Jan Balajka & Igor Sokolović & Markus Valtiner & Florian Mittendorfer & Michael Schmid & Martin Setvín & Ulrike Diebold, 2023. "Resolving the intrinsic short-range ordering of K+ ions on cleaved muscovite mica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Michael L. Whittaker & David Ren & Colin Ophus & Yugang Zhang & Laura Waller & Benjamin Gilbert & Jillian F. Banfield, 2022. "Ion complexation waves emerge at the curved interfaces of layered minerals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Weili Zhang & Yang Lu & Lei Wan & Pan Zhou & Yingchun Xia & Shuaishuai Yan & Xiaoxia Chen & Hangyu Zhou & Hao Dong & Kai Liu, 2022. "Engineering a passivating electric double layer for high performance lithium metal batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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