Charge fluctuations and counterion condensation

A. W.C. Lau; D. B. Lukatsky; P. Pincus; S. A. Safran

doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.65.051502

Charge fluctuations and counterion condensation

A. W.C. Lau, D. B. Lukatsky, P. Pincus, S. A. Safran

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62 Scopus citations

Abstract

We predict a condensation phenomenon in an overall neutral system, consisting of a single charged plate and its oppositely charged counterions. Based on the "two-fluid" model, in which the counterions are divided into a "free" and a "condensed" fraction, we argue that for high surface charge, fluctuations can lead to a phase transition in which a large fraction of counterions is condensed. Furthermore, we show that depending on the valence, the condensation is either a first-order or a smooth transition.

Original language	English
Article number	051502
Pages (from-to)	051502/1-051502/7
Journal	Physical Review E
Volume	65
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.051502
State	Published - 1 May 2002
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy
Condensed Matter Physics
Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Mathematical Physics

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10.1103/PhysRevE.65.051502

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AU - Pincus, P.

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AB - We predict a condensation phenomenon in an overall neutral system, consisting of a single charged plate and its oppositely charged counterions. Based on the "two-fluid" model, in which the counterions are divided into a "free" and a "condensed" fraction, we argue that for high surface charge, fluctuations can lead to a phase transition in which a large fraction of counterions is condensed. Furthermore, we show that depending on the valence, the condensation is either a first-order or a smooth transition.

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Charge fluctuations and counterion condensation

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