Direct observation of charge inversion by multivalent ions as a universal electrostatic phenomenon

We have directly observed reversal of the polarity of charged surfaces in water upon the addition of trivalent and quadrivalent ions using atomic force microscopy. The bulk concentration of multivalent ions at which charge inversion reversibly occurs depends only very weakly on the chemical composit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2004-10, Vol.93 (17), p.170802.1-170802.4, Article 170802
Main Authors: BESTEMAN, K, ZEVENBERGEN, M. A. G, HEERING, H. A, LEMAY, S. G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic force microscopes
Cobalt - chemistry
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cyanides - chemistry
Exact sciences and technology
Ferricyanides - chemistry
Ferrous Compounds - chemistry
Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Ions - chemistry
Iron Compounds - chemistry
Lanthanoid Series Elements - chemistry
Metals - chemistry
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Organometallic Compounds - chemistry
Physics
Polylysine - chemistry
Scanning probe microscopes, components and techniques
Silicon Dioxide - chemistry
Static Electricity
Structure of associated liquids: electrolytes, molten salts, etc
Structure of liquids
Structure of solids and liquids
crystallography
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Summary:We have directly observed reversal of the polarity of charged surfaces in water upon the addition of trivalent and quadrivalent ions using atomic force microscopy. The bulk concentration of multivalent ions at which charge inversion reversibly occurs depends only very weakly on the chemical composition, surface structure, size, and lipophilicity of the ions, but is very sensitive to their valence. These results support the theoretical proposal that spatial correlations between ions are the driving mechanism behind charge inversion.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.93.170802