Ion adsorption and hydration forces: a comparison of crystalline mica vs. amorphous silica surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Hydration forces are ubiquitous in nature and technology. Yet, the characterization of interfacial hydration structures and their dependence on the nature of the substrate and the presence of ions have remained challenging and controversial. We present a systematic study using dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy of hydration forces on mica surfaces and amorphous silica surfaces in aqueous electrolytes containing chloride salts of various alkali and earth alkaline cations of variable concentrations at pH values between 3 and 9. Our measurements with ultra-sharp AFM tips demonstrate the presence of both oscillatory and monotonically decaying hydration forces of very similar strength on both atomically smooth mica and amorphous silica surfaces with a roughness comparable to the size of a water mo

SUBMITTER: Siretanu I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10568262 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature