Static and dynamic properties of the electrical double layer near amorphous silica: Relevance for device design

To explain why dynamical properties of an aqueous electrolyte near a charged surface seem to be governed by a surface charge less than the actual one, the canonical Stern model supposes an interfacial layer of ions and immobile fluid. However, large ion mobilities within the Stern layer are needed to reconcile the Stern model with surface conduction measurements. Modeling the aqueous electrolyte/amorphous silica interface at typical charge densities, a prototypical double layer system, the flow velocity does not vanish until right at the surface, yet electroosmotic flow far from the walls is in accord with the Stern model. The Stern model is a good effective model away from the surface, but cannot be taken literally near the surface. Indeed, simulations show no ion mobility where water is immobile, nor is such mobility necessary since the surface conductivity in the simulations is comparable to experimental values.