Multivalent ionic effects

The charge and potential distributions in an electric double layer result from various chemical and physical interactions between an interface and the adjacent electrolyte solution. The charge typically originates from a chemical equilibrium between the reactive surface and certain potential determining ions in the solution (i.e., surface charge regulation). This surface chemistry however, is strongly dependent on the wide variety of interactions between all species in the solution, as well as with the interface. These interactions could be Coulombic and non-Coulombic, and are system-specific. The focus of this study is on the ion valency and its effect on the Coulombic interactions, their interplay with the molecular excluded volume, and attraction in the fluid phase, as well as with the electric double layer interface.