Structure of the electric double layer

Abstract : The general problem of the interface between two phases which are charged and or conducting is of relevance to a number of systems which occur in nature: colloids, micelles, membranes, solid-solution interfaces in general and metal solution interfaces in particular, form a bewildering array of systems of enormous complexity. The investigation of the structure of these systems poses considerable difficulties, both experimentally as well as theoretically. The experimental problem is that the interface has 10 to the minus 8th power particles relative to the bulk, solid or liquid phases. For this reason one needs a surface specific method, which is able to discriminate between the signal from the surface structure of solids. However they must be used in vacuum and that precludes their use in the study of the liquid solid interface. The study of electrode surfaces removed from the liquid cell under various conditions has provided an enormous wealth of useful data which we will not try to review here. The only way to understand the relation between the ex-situ and is to measure both. (rh)