Interfacial behaviour of non-aqueous solvents

✍ Scribed by Sergio Trasatti

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 847 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-4686(87)87072-x

✦ Synopsis

Abtract

-The possible orientation of non-aqueous solvent molecules at the free surface and the metal/liquid interface is discussed by analysing existing data of Volta potential difference for Hg/nonaqueous solvent contacts and by plotting potentials of zero charge against the work functions for different metals. The estimates are discussed in the light of different sources of experimental evidence. The need for a solvent-independent potential scale is emphasized and the difference is shown between the absolute potential scale in different solvents and the scale normalized to the hydrogen electrode in water. The temperature coefficients of the potential of zero charge of Hg are examined after correction for the temperature coefficient of the work function of the metal, and the relation of their sign to the orientation of the solvent at the Hg/solution interface is discussed. The factors responsible for the interfacial orientation of solvent molecules are analysed and the specific role of the metal surface is tentatively outlined. Finally, the interfacial orientation in mixed solvents is brietly discussed.