PH drives electron density fluctuations that enhance electric field-induced liquid flow.

ABSTRACT: Liquid flow along a charged interface is commonly described by classical continuum theory, which represents the electric double layer by uniformly distributed point charges. The electrophoretic mobility of hydrophobic nanodroplets in water doubles in magnitude when the pH is varied from neutral to mildly basic (pH 7 → 11). Classical continuum theory predicts that this increase in mobility is due to an increased surface charge. Here, by combining all-optical measurements of surface charge and molecular structure, as well as electronic structure calculations, we show that surface charge and molecular structure at the nanodroplet surface are identical at neutral and mildly basic pH. We propose that the force that propels the droplets originates from two factors: Negative charge on the droplet

SUBMITTER: Pullanchery S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11251051 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature