Water-induced correlation between single ions imaged at the solid-liquid interface

M. Ricci, P. Spijker, K. Voitchovsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

155 Citations (Scopus)
152 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

When immersed into water, most solids develop a surface charge, which is neutralized by an accumulation of dissolved counterions at the interface. Although the density distribution of counterions perpendicular to the interface obeys well-established theories, little is known about counterions’ lateral organization at the surface of the solid. Here we show, by using atomic force microscopy and computer simulations, that single hydrated metal ions can spontaneously form ordered structures at the surface of homogeneous solids in aqueous solutions. The structures are laterally stabilized only by water molecules with no need for specific interactions between the surface and the ions. The mechanism, studied here for several systems, is controlled by the hydration landscape of both the surface and the adsorbed ions. The existence of discrete ion domains could play an important role in interfacial phenomena such as charge transfer, crystal growth, nanoscale self-assembly and colloidal stability.
Original languageEnglish
Article number4400
Pages (from-to)1-8
JournalNature Communications
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • atomic force microscopy
  • molecular dynamics simulations
  • solid-liquid interfaces

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Water-induced correlation between single ions imaged at the solid-liquid interface'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this